Building society goes for growth and expands headcount 10%

SWANSEA Building Society has expanded its headcount by more than 10% since the beginning of the year.

The mutual started 2021 with 61 employees and has since hired eight members of staff to work across a variety of roles within its head office and its branches in Swansea, Mumbles, Carmarthen and Cowbridge.

In most cases its new recruits were made redundant because of branch closures by previous retail banking employers. They bring with them a wealth of financial knowledge and customer service experience.

As well as being ranked the most profitable in the UK last year in an annual ranking carried out by Mutual Vision, Swansea Building Society has also been confirmed as the 30thlargest building society in the UK, with total assets of £414m, up on £370m the previous year.

The society said the increase is a result of continued investment in infrastructure, technology, premises and staff.

Its chief executive, Alun Williams, said: “We are delighted to welcome all eight new members of staff to the team. The increase in staff numbers has been necessary – and been made possible – because of our success over the last 12 months.

“I believe this success has been brought about as the culmination of several years of investment, the dedication of our staff, and our commitment to our ethos of opening and not closing branches.

“While other well-known highstreet financial names are shutting offices and cutting back on staff, Swansea Building Society is expanding. We have also implemented several technological adaptations designed solely with the aim of allowing more flexibility for our customers.”