Allica Bank has appointed a new Birmingham-based regional relationship manager following the successful launch of its direct-to-SME business and the announcement that it will be acquiring 2,000 customers from Allied Irish Bank (AIB).
Morgan Keating, relationship manager for the License and Leisure industry, is primarily based in Birmingham and moves to Allica after 16 years at AIB. Morgan will be specifically focused on supporting businesses across the UK in the licensed and leisure sector, such as pubs and hotels.
It brings Allica’s direct-to-SME team up to ten relationship managers, with three based in the Midlands, and with ten more set to be appointed nationally in the coming months.
Allica says this reflects its ongoing commitment to providing real, human expertise to businesses at a time when many banks have been forced to strip back their relationship management teams. It says it can only do this because it has been built from the ground up on innovative technology, specifically designed to meet the needs of established owner-managed businesses.
Morgan joins directly from AIB, and will help provide a sense of familiarity for the many businesses that will move from AIB to Allica.
“It’s been a torrid time for hospitality and leisure businesses the past couple of years, but as restrictions ease, they finally have a chance to bounce back,” said Morgan. “Allica has made clear their commitment to the sector and region, and also the value they place in specialist expertise.
“I’m especially looking forward to what we can achieve together with our customers. In particular, I’m pleased to be able to provide continuity to those businesses I have come to know well from my time at AIB.”
Emma Lane, head of Client Relationship Management at Allica, said: “It’s fantastic news for Allica and AIB customers that we can bring Morgan on board. His mix of business banking expertise, knowledge of AIB’s customer base and regional expertise will be key in making the transition from AIB to Allica a smooth and simple one.”
