# Retailer Finance Branches Marks & Spencer Set to Open Full M&S Bank By Katherinev123 | Published 2012-06-13 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/m-s-bank References: [popsop](http://popsop.com/56205/) & [news.sky](http://news.sky.com/home/business/article/16243464) Starting July 2012, UK retailer [Marks & Spencer](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clothing-repair-service) will launch M&S Bank, a set of full bank branches to be housed in select Marks & Spencer stores across the country. A joint venture with HSBC, the M&S Bank is an initiative to replace the retailer's current financial services arm M&S Money, which currently offers its customers the Marks & Spencer credit card. Marks & Spencer plans to open 50 M&S Bank branches in the next two years. Following the retailer's store hours, the bank branches will allow customers to conveniently bank seven days a week while they shop. They will also receive 24-hour access to the M&S Bank online services and call centers. Along with the personal loans, car insurance and credit cards currently offered by M&S Money, the M&S Bank initiative will provide mortgages and current accounts. One can't help but wonder whether such a move is a reaction to the implementation of banking services by other UK retailers, such as [Tesco](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/minor-figures-oat-mlks) and [Sainsbury's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sainsburys-local). However, M&S Bank's chief executive Colin Kersley claims, "We're not trying to compete with the big guys; we're trying to look after M&S customers." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.5/10 - Popularity: 9% | Activity: 28% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [Retail](https://www.trendhunter.com/retail) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **In-store Banking:** Retailers are increasingly incorporating banking and financial services into their physical stores. - **Convenience Banking:** The trend towards offering banking services in nontraditional locations allows customers to access financial services more conveniently. - **Retailer Financial Services Diversification:** Retailers expanding their financial services offerings can potentially disrupt traditional financial institutions by offering a more diverse range of services in one convenient location. ### Where This Applies - **Retail:** Retailers can potentially disrupt the banking industry by incorporating banking and financial services into their stores, offering more convenience to customers. - **Banking:** Traditional banks may face increased competition from retailers if they continue to expand their financial services offerings. - **Investment:** Retailers that offer banking services can potentially disrupt the investment industry by providing more accessible and affordable investment opportunities to their customers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Digital Banking Metaverses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hsbc-1.md) - [Grocery Store Charging Hubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bp-pulse-charging-hub.md) - [Clothing Repair Hubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clothing-repair-service.md) - [Active Lifestyle Retailer Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-sports-edit-on-ms.md) - [Global Money-Transferring Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hsbc-2.md) - [Luxury Financial Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/financial-centers.md) - [Chef-Approved Retailer Cookware](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ms-x-tom-kerridge-collection.md) - [Affordable Uniform Exchanges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oxfam-1.md) - [Mail-Focused Convenience Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/royal-mail-shop.md)