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Barclays is charting a decisive U-turn on the high street, with plans to open new branches across the country and reinstate the once-familiar “bank manager” job title, a move that signals a broader rethink of how Britain’s traditional lenders compete in an increasingly digital age.

Vim Maru, who has led Barclays UK since 2024, told Business Matters that the bank intended to grow its branch network beyond the current 206 outlets, having already paused a closure programme that saw roughly 80 per cent of its branches shut since 2019. One of his first acts after taking charge was to halt the cull, and he is now pressing ahead with expansion, though he declined to put a precise figure on how many new sites would open.

The shift comes as digital-only challengers such as Revolut and Wise make increasingly aggressive moves into the current-account market, threatening the established banks’ grip on everyday consumer banking. Rather than trying to outpace them on technology alone, Maru is placing his chips on a blend of slick digital services and genuine, in-person support, what he described as the winning formula for modern banking.

He was characteristically blunt about the shortcomings of purely automated customer service. Barclays customers, he insisted, would not find themselves trapped in an endless loop with a chatbot when they needed real help. The bank has also quietly reintroduced traditional role titles, so that customers walking through the door can once again ask to speak to the branch or bank manager.

Maru stopped short of conceding that Barclays had been too aggressive in its earlier round of closures, but acknowledged that the bank needed to reassess how it served its customers every few years. The new branches will sit alongside the shared banking hubs operated through the Post Office, rather than replace them.

Beyond the branch network, Barclays is pursuing growth on several fronts. The bank reported a record number of mortgage applications last year, with processing times slashed from 45 minutes to just 15 thanks to technology improvements that have proved popular with brokers. Its acquisition of the Tesco credit card business in 2024 and Kensington Mortgages, which has doubled in size since Barclays bought it in May 2023, have broadened the division’s reach considerably.

Artificial intelligence is also being deployed to streamline internal processes, though Maru was cautious about the workforce implications. He drew a parallel with the introduction of ATMs, noting that while the machines were expected to eliminate cashier roles, the subsequent rise in fraud and scams meant staff were redeployed rather than made redundant.

On the broader economy, Maru offered a measured reading from the bank’s unique vantage point. Consumer spending has shown resilience, with hospitality holding up well despite a period of heightened anxiety following the outbreak of the Iran conflict. In the opening days of the war, there was a noticeable surge in fuel purchases as motorists rushed to fill up ahead of expected price rises, though spending patterns quickly normalised.

With Barclays chief executive CS Venkatakrishnan having committed to investing £30 billion more in the UK between 2024 and this year, and despite persistent speculation about possible acquisitions of the likes of Santander UK or TSB, Maru said his priority remained organic growth. The bank, he maintained, already had strong momentum — and a renewed high street presence to match.

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Bandhan Bank posted healthy growth in advances along with steady deposit mobilisation for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, as per its provisional update released on Saturday. The bank’s loans and advances, including on-book and PTC, stood at Rs 1.54 lakh crore at the end of the March quarter, registering a 12.6% year-on-year increase and a 6.2% sequential rise.

Total deposits came in at Rs 1.66 lakh crore, up 10% from a year ago and 6.1% higher on a quarter-on-quarter basis. CASA deposits rose 2.8% year-on-year to Rs 48,751 crore, with the CASA ratio at 29.31% at the end of the quarter.

Retail term deposits saw strong growth, increasing 30.1% year-on-year to Rs 73,796 crore. Overall retail deposits, including CASA, rose 17.7% to Rs 1.22 lakh crore. Bulk deposits declined 6.9% year-on-year to Rs 43,797 crore. Meanwhile, the share of retail deposits in total deposits improved to 73.67% from 68.88% in the same period last year.

The bank reported a liquidity coverage ratio of about 131.76% as of March 31, 2026. Collection efficiency remained robust, with pan-bank efficiency, excluding NPAs, at 98.9% for March 2026, compared to 98.1% in December 2025.

Banking stocks have come under sharp pressure over the past three months, with most lenders underperforming the benchmark Nifty 50 amid a challenging macro backdrop marked by sustained foreign institutional investor (FII) outflows, escalating geopolitical tensions, and a surge in energy prices. Bandhan Bank is down 18% in the last 1 month.

The underperformance comes amid persistent FII selling, which has disproportionately impacted financials due to their heavy weightage in benchmark indices. At the same time, the escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict has triggered a spike in crude oil prices, raising concerns over inflation and delaying expectations of interest rate cuts by global central banks.
The lender has also been in the headlines after The Economic Times reported that Bandhan Financial Services is exploring exit options for its long-term investors, including GIC Ventures and International Finance Corporation.Also read: HDFC Bank Q4 business update: Lender reports 15% YoY growth in deposits, advances jump 12%

The report said the company has appointed Jefferies to assess investor interest, particularly from private equity funds. The move is also in line with regulatory requirements that mandate Bandhan Financial to reduce the promoter’s stake in the bank to 26% by 2030.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

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Private sector lender AU Small Finance Bank reported steady growth across key balance sheet items, its fourth-quarter business update on Saturday showed.

The bank’s total deposits stood at Rs 1.52 lakh crore as of March 31, 2026, registering a 22.8% year-on-year growth and a 10.3% increase sequentially from Rs 1.38 lakh crore as of December 31, 2025. CASA deposits came in at Rs 43,360 crore, up 19.6% year-on-year and 8.5% quarter-on-quarter. However, the CASA ratio stood at 28.4%, compared to 29.2% a year ago and 28.9% in the previous quarter.

On the advances front, gross advances stood at Rs 1.36 lakh crore, reflecting a 25.1% year-on-year growth and an 8.7% rise sequentially from Rs 1.26 lakh crore. The bank’s securitised and assigned portfolio was reported at Rs 4,290 crore, compared to Rs 6,926 crore in the year-ago period and Rs 4,689 crore in the previous quarter.

Overall, the gross loan portfolio (A+B) stood at Rs 1.40 lakh crore as of March 31, 2026, marking a 21.3% year-on-year growth and an 8% increase quarter-on-quarter from Rs 1.30 lakh crore.

Banking stocks have come under sharp pressure over the past three months, with most lenders underperforming the benchmark Nifty 50 amid a challenging macro backdrop marked by sustained foreign institutional investor (FII) outflows, escalating geopolitical tensions and a surge in energy prices. AU Small Finance Bank shares have declined 13% since the beginning of the year.

The underperformance comes amid persistent FII selling, which has disproportionately impacted financials due to their heavy weightage in benchmark indices. At the same time, the escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict has triggered a spike in crude oil prices, raising concerns over inflation and delaying expectations of interest rate cuts by global central banks.
In a separate development in February, the Haryana government de-empanelled the lender from government business after suspected fraudulent activities were disclosed.The company issued a clarification late Sunday, stating it initiated an internal review regarding two accounts in question. The bank further said that both these accounts were “duly opened after completion of all applicable KYC checks and requisite authorisations” and were in accordance with the bank’s internal policies and processes.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

Centenary House in Morecambe has been largely empty since 1990s

New calls have been made to regenerate a landmark Morecambe building, as a big shake-up of councils looms in 2028 with uncertainty about future support.

Centenary House, on Morecambe’s Regent Street, has been largely vacant since the mid-1990s except for a ground-floor Co-op shop. Some repairs were done in 2024 using government cash. Earlier in 2019, a plan was approved for offices, a café, work and event spaces but it did not progress.

Council talks have been held recently with an affordable homes organisation about it. But a lack of nearby car parking, and possibly other things, could be turning-off some developers, councillors were told at Lancaster City Council’s latest full meeting.

Labour’s David Whittaker asked Morecambe Bay Independent Martin Bottoms, a cabinet member, about the situation.

Coun Whittaker said: “Has there been any recent engagement with external funding sources to help Centenary House? What do you see as a realistic outcome for the future of the building? Car parking is another consideration. I know this is a long-term question but a lot of people are asking about it.”

Coun Bottoms, who has a remit for Morecambe regeneration and its local economy, said: “Brownfield regeneration money is available for developers to move this forward. Centenary House is bordered by roads and there is little car parking space. Whether it has community or commercial uses, there are going to be some parking issues.

“We are in talks with an affordable housing developer but they are aware that car parking needs have to be considered.”

Then Coun Whittaker added: “Will things progress before local government reorganisation?”

Coun Bottoms said: “It’s something we have all had concerns about since the council’s new administration was formed. We need to find a solution. It’s down to us to get it done. Or, at least, get it started before local government reorganisation. I will be pressing for that.”

The Lancaster City Council district including Morecambe could be merged with Preston and the Ribble Valley under the government’s push to reorganise all Lancashire councils in 2028. The government wants to end the two-tier system of district and county councils created in 1974.

New bigger unitary councils, with access to major funds and government contacts, will likely cover bigger areas and include a wider intake of councillors. So how projects like Centenary House will be viewed by future councillors is unknown.

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