DEBBIE Crosbie has become one of Scotland’s leading businesswomen in a 20-year banking career in which she has held a succession of big jobs at the Clydesdale and Yorkshire bank group and become vice chair of CBI Scotland.
Read more: Clydesdale big hitter to lead fight back at TSB
The business organisation appeared confident yesterday Ms Crosbie’s experience and nous would allow her to make a big impact at TSB if she becomes chief executive of the lender next year as planned.
But the scale of the task awaiting her should not be under-estimated.
TSB’s hopes of establishing itself as the UK’s leading challenger bank suffered a massive blow as a result of its disastrous IT upgrade in Apri which left the bank facing a £176 million bill.
Chairman Richard Meddings is confident TSB has made good progress towards putting things right. He reckons its new system will allow the bank to develop and introduce products and sign up customers much faster than the mix of facilities inherited from Lloyds.
The bank sees huge scope to win more business in markets such as SME banking.
This reflects his confidence the TSB brand has been bruised rather than fractured as a result of the group’s IT woes.
But others may take a less sanguine view. While TSB has been focused on addressing its internal problems rival challengers such as the CYBG business Ms Crosbie plans to leave have been making bold expansion moves.
The field of competitors is becoming more crowded by the day as new online entrants without legacy problems to deal with enter the fray.
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