Handelsbanken, the fast-growing Swedish-owned bank with more than 140 UK branches, is to open a regional head office in North Bristol.
The soon-to-open base will support an expanding network of local branches across the region which offer bespoke banking services to corporate and individual customers.
The South West is the fourth region to be established in the UK by Handelsbanken after its North, Central and South regions. It has two branches in Bristol and one each in Bath and Swindon as well as branches in eight other towns in the region. It also recently opened in Weston-super-Mare.
The UK is the bank’s fastest-growing market and it is opening a new branch at the rate of roughly one every two weeks.
It is to base the South West regional office in Eleven Hundred Parkway North in Stoke Gifford.
Property agents Colliers International’s Bristol office negotiated the deal on behalf of the landlord. The bank, which has taken the refurbished, two-storey building – formerly called Avon House – on a 10-year lease, was represented by the Bristol office of Alder King.
Colliers’ Bristol offices specialist James Preece said: “Eleven Hundred Parkway North provides the best of both worlds in terms of travel options. Not only does it give Handelsbanken an excellent parking ratio, it is also in walking distance of Parkway railway station.
Alder King head of agency in Bristol Simon Price added: “Following a comprehensive search Handelsbanken was attracted by the self-contained nature of the property and the added benefit of great local amenities.”
