Metro Bank is offering insurance products for small and medium sized enterprises as its first move into the insurance arena.

In partnership with Churchill Expert, the bank is offering seven new products across 11 industries, including residential and commercial property owners.

Other industries covered comprise tradespeople, professionals, shop and retail, office and surgery, manufacturing and wholesale (which includes hotel and leisure) and businesses from home.

The lender says that customers are able to apply over the phone or the Metrobank website while existing customers can apply though their online banking platform.

Direct Line Group director of affinity and aggregator Ian Exworth comments: “We are happy and excited to launch our new Churchill Expert partnership with Metro Bank and look forward to bringing the very best in SME insurance to Metro Bank business customers.

“With new needs and requirements emanating from the pandemic-affected last 12 months, we look forward to working with Metro Bank to continue to develop our product suite to best fit the evolving needs of SMEs.”

Metro Bank director of customer experience Kat Robinson says: “We’re thrilled to launch into the SME insurance market with Churchill Expert after what’s been a very difficult year for businesses across the country.”