A CITY centre bank is to open a separate section to cater for its growing number of Polish customers

Sat 19 May 2007

Polish mini branch translates as a good way to do business

JANE BRADLEY BUSINESS REPORTER (jbradley@edinburghnews.com)

A CITY centre bank is to open a separate section to cater for its growing number of Polish customers.

Lloyds TSB on Hanover Street has devoted an area of the branch to brochures, advertising and information signs in Polish.

There will even be a "welcome" mat in Polish at the entrance to the new "sub-branch".

The bank has taken on an extra two Polish-speaking staff, while all workers have learnt basic phrases to be able to greet Polish customers.

Around 40 overseas customers open a new account with the branch every week - most of them from Poland.

Manager Paul Alexander said: "Of our 50 new customers every week at Hanover Street, around 40 are non-UK customers and most of them are Polish.

"While most of them have a good grasp of English, there are many who do not. This idea, which is almost like a Polish sub-branch within Lloyds TSB, will be somewhere our Polish customers can come and feel they understand what is going on."

He added: "The leaflets will make it easier for our non-Polish staff to explain services to Polish customers - it means they can take them away and look at what is on offer in their own language.

"If you were going to live in Poland and you wanted to open a bank account, you would find it quite daunting and would be grateful of someone who spoke English. This is just the same."

The Hanover Street bank was the first in Scotland to employ a Polish member of staff when it took on Robert Zebala in May last year.

Mr Zebala, now the branch's personal banking manager, said Polish customers appreciated his help.

The 28-year-old, who moved to Edinburgh from Krakow last year and now lives in Leith, said: "Even if they have got a pretty good grasp of English, a bank can be quite a confusing place and things work differently in Poland.

"It is really helpful to be able to sit down and explain everything in their own language, especially for people who plan to stay here long term and are looking at mortgages and so on as well as basic accounts."

The new Polish "sub branch" is to be launched on Monday, in an event which will include in-branch demonstrations of Polish cookery and free food samples.

Lloyd TSB also unveiled Polish services at a branch in Glasgow yesterday, and the idea is to be tried in Aberdeen, Dundee and Inverness over the coming weeks.

The move comes just days after Lothian and Borders police announced it would be asking officers to cut out sarcasm when dealing with Poles, as it is considered "very rude" in Poland.

Other firms, such as estate agents, have also introduced services specifically for Edinburgh's growing Polish population, while Polish-themed club nights, starring well-known Polish DJs and musicians have also become popular in the city.

Lloyds TSB last month announced the launch of its Silver account, specially designed for new arrivals to the UK, which allows people to open an account using only their passport as identification.

THE FACTS

New estimates have shown that the Lothians has the highest Polish population in Scotland.

There are believed to be more than 35,000 Polish people living and working in the area, with around 20,000 of those based in the Capital.

And it is estimated that there are around 86,000 Poles in Scotland, almost three times the official figures, judged by those in regular employment.

The new figures were compiled by the Fife Polish Association, whose survey also included partners, children, the unemployed and self-employed.

Edinburgh City Council estimates put the figure of the Capital's Polish population at around 8000, although Scotland's register general admitted the survey may be a more accurate reflection than the official statistics.

The mass influx of Polish workers has led to Polish food being stocked in local supermarkets, Polish radio broadcasts and even training courses in Polish culture for local police officers.

The UK is thought to have a 350,000-strong Polish population.

This article: http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=780062007

Last updated: 19-May-07 13:55 BST