A SCOTTISH bank has taken the high road to Kent for the first time.

Clydesdale Bank has chosen Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells for its first "financial solutions centres" in the county. They are to play a key role in the bank's push into the South of England.

The first outlet is already open for business in Turkey Mill, Ashford Road, and the Tunbridge Wells centre is due to open soon. Both will offer services to businesses and private banking customers.

Adrian Wenn, formerly relationship director at Lloyds TSB, is heading the new operation as managing partner.

He said: "I am thrilled to have been given this opportunity to put together a dedicated team of professionals who have true local discretion to offer that vital ingredient of reacting quickly to our customers needs.

"With specialist services such as Treasury, Wealth Management and Asset Finance operating from the centre we are ideally positioned to support the vibrant business and professional community of Kent."

He added that Clydesdale would "break the mould of traditional banking by offering our members many new facilities and services not usually available”.

Members will be able to use meeting rooms and boardroom facilities in any financial solutions centre across the South of England.

The bank believes it will combine the "stature and approach of the bank manager of 20-30 years ago" and the need to meet the challenge of 21st Century pace, creativity and performance culture.

Clydesdale Bank, a member of the National Australia Bank Group, has launched eight similar centres in the South of England in the last year as part of a long-term strategy.

The Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells centres are among four opening in the coming months. Further expansion is planned next year.

Clydesdale Bank was established in 1838 in Glasgow. It is one of Scotland's largest banks, with 2,800 staff and 230 branches.

It became a member of the National Australia Bank Group in 1987. The Group has total assets of more than £165bn and is one of the 50 largest financial services companies in the world by profit.

Other banks in the group include Yorkshire Bank PLC in Leeds, Northern Bank Limited in Belfast and National Irish Bank Limited in Dublin.