Allica Bank launches direct-to-SME offering

Allica Bank has launched a direct-to-SME offering, as part of its mission to “bring back the local relationship manager” and has made four appointments to support the launch. 

The lender has hired three relationship managers and one new business executive as it focuses on strengthening its personalised and tailored service. 

Conrad Ford, chief product and strategy officer at Allica Bank, said that launching the direct business and hiring the new team is a “vital step in the bank’s roadmap”. 

Allica Bank intends to offer £500 million in committed SME loan offers this year. 

Reena Pithwa has joined as relationship manager for the Midlands, and will be supported by Nargis Quraishi, with particular responsibility for the West Midlands. 

Katie Roberts, who has been named relationship manager for the North of England, said: “Allica is offering business owners something I know they both want and need, but often aren’t getting anywhere else: the tailored, personal support of a relationship manager, backed up with smart technology.  

“SMEs are going to face a swathe of unprecedented challenges over the coming years, making access to the personal attention and local expertise of a local relationship manager more crucial than ever.” 

Karen Astbury has been appointed to support Pithwa, Quraishi and Roberts in a new business executive role. 

Ford said: “Our direct-to-SME offering will play a major part in our goal of empowering established SMEs to succeed and supporting the economic recovery from the pandemic.” 

“We believe that our ‘Bring back the local relationship manager’ strategy will have a tangible impact on our customers helping to build much-needed trust within our sector, and setting a new standard for service in the SME banking market,” he added.