This expansion, underpinned by the building society’s “kinder banking” philosophy, aims to assist businesses across Scotland and the North of England.

With more than 20 years of experience in supporting businesses in the hospitality sector, The Cumberland is now expanding its operations to serve accountants, solicitors, surveyors, estate and letting agents, and financial advisors from the professional services industry.

The move to support professional services businesses forms part of The Cumberland’s strategy to expand its commercial services to cater for additional industries, which includes offering a range of financial services to businesses in the healthcare, food and drink, and childcare sectors.

With its head office in Carlisle, The Cumberland will provide services including mortgages, current accounts, and business savings accounts to these new sectors, offering a people-first approach via its experienced and knowledgeable team.

By expanding its commercial offering, The Cumberland will assist a broader range of businesses across its core areas of Cumbria and Northwest England, the Northeast of England, Scotland and Yorkshire.

Businesses operating in The Cumberland’s new sectors, who are looking for financial support, will be supported by The Cumberland’s 28-strong commercial team.

This year also marks The Cumberland’s 175th anniversary, a significant milestone in its long-standing commitment to supporting businesses. Driven by its kinder banking purpose, which places people at the heart of all the organisation, The Cumberland works closely with customers to help them navigate any challenges they may face.

As part of its philosophy, The Cumberland offers a rare relationship-managed service, prioritising a personalised customer experience delivered by real people.

The service will see businesses across The Cumberland’s new Commercial sectors provided with a relationship manager, who will work proactively to understand their needs with a view to help during any situation, whether it be good or bad.

With access to a relationship manager, customers will receive hands-on support, with a real person who understands their business available to speak whenever needed, meaning issues can be dealt with quickly and efficiently.

Scott McKerracher, head of commercial at The Cumberland, said: “At The Cumberland we believe in responsible banking that puts people first. This approach has served us well for more than 20 years and so it’s great that we can now roll this out to the professional services industry.

“It is a natural progression for us to expand into different sectors, enabling us to extend our Kinder Banking approach to a wider range of businesses, offering them not just the financial services they need, but also a human touch which will help guide them moving forward.

“We’re incredibly excited to extend our offering to the professional services sector and we look forward to working with organisations within them.”