Handelsbanken, the local relationship bank with a branch in Dorchester, has been rated the top provider of current accounts in a Government-backed survey of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)*.
The Business Banking Insight (BBI) survey, which is run by the Federation of Small Businesses and the British Chambers of Commerce, asked 20,000 SMEs across the UK to rate their bank’s performance in five different areas: fair and clear, tailored, value, available and informative*.
Handelsbanken’s average scores across the five areas meant it was comfortably rated highest by its customers, across all three SME size categories (1-9, 10-49 and 50-249 employees).
Andrew Denning, Branch Manager Dorchester commented: “As a bank built on strong and lasting relationships, we focus first and foremost on satisfying our customers by providing the best local advice and service we can every day. It is encouraging to see that this commitment to customer satisfaction is reflected so positively by our corporate customers in this Government-initiated survey.
“We make the everyday decisions that matter to our customers here in the branch, free from head office targets or bonus incentives. Since we conduct no national marketing, we are only able to develop our business by building a strong reputation within the communities we serve. And it is this reputation for customer service, across our banking services, which sometimes attracts wider positive attention. ”
The BBI survey findings echo the recent announcement (October 2015) that Handelsbanken has been rated top for customer satisfaction for the seventh year running, in an independent survey of British banks’ personal and business customers**. The bank is committed to putting its customers first, believing local branch teams like Andrew Denning’s in Poundbury, Dorchester are best-placed to serve and make all decisions relating to their customers.
Dorchester branch staff have full power to advise customers on their banking needs, and agree tailored solutions and individual pricing, free from targets or bonus incentives. The team of 4 bankers draws on a combined 125 years of banking experience to meet their customers’ individual needs locally.
Overall, Handelsbanken operates over 850 branches in 25 countries worldwide, with the UK representing its fastest-growing market. As well as the branch in Dorchester, teams of experienced local bankers now serve individual and corporate customers in more than 200 other communities throughout Great Britain.
In July last year, the Swedish-headquartered bank was judged one of the world’s strongest banks, for the fifth year running, by financial information provider Bloomberg****.
Businesses and individuals can contact the branch by calling 01305 265542 or by visiting 198 Bridport Road, Poundbury, Dorchester DT1 3BN.