A NEW financial solutions centre has been launched by Yorkshire Bank in Clifton Moor, York.

It is a one-stop shop for any business person in the region seeking funding for their venture.

The concept, which is designed to avoid paperwork shuttling between banks with experts on site to ensure instant funding decisions, is being rolled out by the bank across the country.

Already ten have been created so far in the south-east and York is one of six in the north to have adopted the new approach, which will see new partners in business and private banking as well as agribusiness.

York already has Yorkshire Bank's biggest agribusiness team, which will now be expanded to look after customers from Nottinghamshire to the Pennines and Northumberland.

The York financial solutions centre, based at the new centre at Aviator Court, Clifton Moor, will offer the area's companies and their owners a full range of commercial and private banking services, including traditional lending, asset and invoice finance, and credit, risk and wealth management.

Neil Willson, managing partner at the York centre, said: "We believe firms and their owners are looking for a return to a one-stop-shop for personal and business banking services, accessed through a single, dedicated point-of-contact and that's what we'll provide.

"Through their business or private banking partner, members will be able to draw on a team of experts, selected for their specialist knowledge and awareness of the local business scene.

"Uniquely, the presence of a full-time credit partner means staff will have authority to sign off lending locally and speedily."

Members will also get free use of meeting and board rooms throughout the Yorkshire and Clydesdale Bank financial solutions centre networks in England and Scotland.

The team will use its local expertise and contacts to uncover new business opportunities for them, he said.

A launch event - a drinks reception for about 100 customers - was held at the National Railway Museum in York.

Previously regional business banking manager at the York centre, Mr Willson will celebrate 27 years with Yorkshire Bank, this month. The change to a financial solutions centre will mean the addition of three new partners to the team, including a ninth partner to the agribusiness team.

Conversion at York is part of a long-term strategy by Yorkshire Bank's parent, National Australia Group, to expand its UK business and private banking operations.

Another 15 will open this year in areas where they were not represented before and 23 former Yorkshire Bank business centres will be converted to the financial solutions model by the end of the year.

Updated: 09:42 Friday, July 29, 2005