Co-op Bank appoints MD to lead SME banking expansion

Kerr joins from CYBG where he was head of SME banking and prior to that was a managing director of commercial finance and SME banking at Lloyds Banking Group.

The Co-operative Bank currently looks after the banking needs of around 90,000 SMEs, offering three business accounts, and also partners with the Federation of Small Businesses.

Chief executive, Andrew Bester, commented: “I am delighted that Donald has chosen to join The Co-operative Bank at this important point in our development. Our heritage in providing banking services to small and medium sized businesses together with our recognised strong service culture provides us with a great platform. We want to significantly build on that and drive greater competition in the market using the strength of our ethical brand which is the reason many of our 90,000 SME customers choose to bank with us.

“Donald’s experience in leading successful business banking operations, and insight into the challenges and opportunities SMEs currently face will be valuable as we increase our focus and build our position in this market and I look forward to working with him.”

Donald Kerr added: “I’m delighted to be joining The Co-operative Bank as it looks to grow its position in the business banking market. The need for greater competition in the market is well documented but should at last become a reality with the help of the RBS remedies package. That’s great news for Britain’s SMEs and I believe the Bank’s distinct ethical position means it has a strong role to play in delivering on that.”