business focus 33


HW, Chartered Accountants, presents a series of articles based around Tweets appearing on their Twitter pages. This month Barry Potter, partner, reports:


‘We’re excited - we have just launched the UK’s first Tax Rates iPhone app’


We’re always on the look out for new and innovative ways of making our clients’ lives easier, which is why the launch of our tax rates iPhone app is so exciting for us! The fact that it is the first in the UK makes it even more special. The app is free to download from the app store – just type in Haines Watts.


Everyone’s time is at a premium and so anything that streamlines accountancy and taxation assistance is good news. The app will, of course, mean that it is easier and quicker to check UK tax rates no matter where you are. You won’t have to keep hard copy tax tables to hand or need to use your PC or laptop for internet access to find them.


This development is especially important in this day and age as our clients – and business people in general – place increasing reliance on smart phones such as the iPhone.


The continual changes to legislation and the rates of tax mean that it is wise to check out the tax effect of any major business decision, from changes to a company’s structure to the acquisition of an expensive piece of equipment, before it is made. We see this app as only the beginning and we will invest in further app development to help business owners in their daily lives.


Find out more about the HW tax rates app here: http://tinyurl.com/taxratesapp


Details: www.hwca.com


For details on Haines Watts Young Entrepreneur of the Year competition 2011 visit: www.hwye.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @HWYE2011 and Facebook: search for Haines Watts HWYE.


corporate finance extra Traditional banking pays dividends


Handelsbanken has announced the opening of its 100th British branch. The new branch, located in the West Yorkshire spa town of Ilkley, will open for individual and corporate business over the coming weeks, once the local team is in place.


The bank employs over 800 staff nationwide, with the Thames Valley area being covered by local branches in Oxford, Basingstoke, Slough, Reading, Guildford and High Wycombe.


With over 700 branches in 22 countries, Handelsbanken has built its success around a unique combination of decentralisation, customer satisfaction, and prudent financial management.


An independent survey of British bank customers* has ranked Handelsbanken number one for satisfaction and loyalty among both business and personal customers for the second year running. This is a position the bank has enjoyed in Sweden since surveys began in 1989.


Simon Lodge, general manager of Handelsbanken Regional South Great


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – JUNE 2011


Britain said “Core to our growth has been satisfied customers and a preference for what is often referred to as “traditional banking”. For us it’s nothing new, the bank has been run on the same principle of decentralisation for the last 40 years. Our teams at the local branch make their own case-by-case assessments and are empowered to make decisions at the branch, from corporate credit lines to tailored savings and borrowing rates, and are able to serve customers locally, without customers having to refer to call centres.


“They know their people and patch best, with our head office here to support them. We always take a long-term view, investing time with our customers and focus on the needs of the individual and not on the sale of specific products.”


Despite the continuing economic downturn, Handelsbanken last year announced the opening of a record 27 UK branches, leading to the establishment of a third regional head office in Birmingham to support further expansion in Great Britain, its fastest growing market.


Speaking ahead of a series of regional events to celebrate the 100th branch opening, Anders Bouvin, chief executive of Handelsbanken in the UK said, said: “This milestone has been reached thanks to the confidence that our customers have shown and by us sticking to our knitting, offering traditional community banking based on close personal relationships with customers. Our belief in entrusting local decisions to experienced local staff has seen us grow rapidly, both in scale and reputation, throughout the economic slump.


“Although we don’t set out with specific targets, we’re well on course for another record year of expansion in Britain, as more and more customers appreciate our way of local banking.”


Handelsbanken is hosting a series of events in London, Birmingham and Manchester to mark the 100th branch milestone across the bank’s operating regions. The city centre events will bring together customers, staff and professional friends from each region, invited by local branch managers to share their views and experiences and discuss the factors behind the bank’s growing popularity in Great Britain.


www.businessmag.co.uk


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