The first branch to open will be Metro Bank's flagship site in Holborn, central London, with a second branch set to open its doors on Cromwell Road, near Earl's Court, a week later.
Metro Bank, , plans to roll out a further 12 branches – or "stores", as they are to be known – over the coming two years. It aims to have a branch network of more than 200 within a decade.
The brand has been set up by former Financial Services Forum chief executive Anthony Thomson, and US banking entrepreneur Vernon Hill, and will closely follow the template set by Hill's former business Commerce Bank.
Branches will open seven days a week, from 8am until 8pm, and only close at Easter, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Cashier desks will not have protective security screens, while consumers will be encouraged to visit branches to use free services such as coin-counting machines.
To mark the launch, Metro Bank is launching a field marketing campaign, giving away free breakfasts, smoothies and Oyster card holders.
Chairman Thomson said: "We have been preparing for this day for a long time and are delighted it's finally here. We plan to offer our customers a great retail experience, and we want to make banking fun for everyone."
For a full interview with Thomson, read next week's issue of Marketing magazine.
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