NatWest has invested £348,236 to transform its Exeter High Street branch into a modern, customer-focused banking space, with upgraded technology to improve service and reliability.
The refurbishment reflects NatWest’s commitment to local communities and its pledge of no further branch closures until at least 2029.
The Exeter High Street branch will continue to support the community through free financial education programmes, including Financial Foundations workshops and the Thrive programme for young people.
NatWest customers in Exeter are benefiting from a newly refurbished local branch that underpins the bank’s ambition to become the number one bank for service in the UK.
The £348,236 investment has transformed the branch into a modern, customer first space, welcoming visitors in Exeter from the moment they step inside. Visitors will experience a new space where customers and colleagues can connect, helping to best address customers’ banking needs.
The initiative is part of the bank’s mission to empower the regions of the UK and strengthen its branch network, having committed to no further closures until at least 2029.
The branch in Exeter High Street is being supplied with:
- state of the art equipment and technology, including new upgraded machines and technology to improve reliability, speed of service and reduce maintenance and downtime
- relocated external digital screen for improved visibility and comprehensive internal and external rebranding
- new comfortable seating areas within the banking hall, a Meeter/Greeter stand and a plumbed-in water cooler
- four additional interview rooms
- refreshed colleague facilities including upgraded bathrooms, dining area and lounge space
As a bank, NatWest firmly positions its branches as a cornerstone of the communities it serves, and as trusted hubs for financial education and support. Through the delivery of thousands of free Financial Foundations workshops, the bank equips everyday customers and business owners with the skills, confidence, and knowledge they need to manage their finances effectively.
The bank is also helping children from the age of five learn about money through its NatWest Thrive, the bank’s free education and future skills programme which transforms the way young people feel about money, entrepreneurship, investment and savings.
NatWest is also helping by offering free Financial Health checks, to help customers stay on top of their money.
Katie Dare, Branch Manager, Exeter High Street, said:
"We’re incredibly proud to unveil our newly refurbished branch on Exeter High Street. This investment demonstrates our long-term commitment to Exeter and to providing customers with a modern, welcoming space where they can access the support they need.
"From enhanced technology and improved interview facilities to more comfortable customer areas and upgraded colleague spaces, these improvements will help us deliver an even better banking experience for everyone who visits the branch."
Dipesh Mistry, Regional Director of Branch Banking for Central England, South West & Wales at NatWest, said:
“The South West is a vibrant and diverse region, with proud communities, ambitious businesses and enormous potential for growth.
“At NatWest, we’re committed to playing our part in that future by investing in places like Exeter, supporting customers face-to-face and helping local economies thrive. Our promise to keep our branches open until at least 2029 reflects our commitment that we are here to grow alongside the communities we serve.”
Nationally, the bank is investing over £50 million over 18 months, refurbishing branches across the UK, to better support customers face-to-face.
The bank is taking a tailored approached to supporting its communities because it knows no two towns are the same. NatWest has made major investments in support of its customers in different ways, whether online, on the high street or on the move through the bank’s multi-million pound investment in its mobile branch fleet.
NatWest is not just investing in places to bank, its investing in places to grow. Small business owners and entrepreneurs across The South West, are also benefiting from the Accelerator Hub in Bristol, which provides free in-person events, networking and meeting spaces to help them scale, boosting the local economy. The Accelerator Hubs underpins the bank’s commitment to the regions, as part of its Growing Together campaign, which sets out how the bank will support UK economic growth.
