FinTech Magazine January 2024 | Page 67

SANTANDER INTERNATIONAL
Supporting communities The aforementioned Santander Work Café initiative forms a major part of company-wide efforts to maintain that person-to-person interaction .
From a Santander International point of view , Work Cafés have been established in both Jersey and the Isle of Man , joining several other locations in the UK , Europe , North America and South America .
Ultimately , the island sites have proved hugely popular , becoming community hubs where all are welcome to make use of the bank , café and co-working space .
“ We ’ ve put a lot of effort into maintaining that human touch with the Work Café concept ,” Wright goes on .

“ It ’ s important to use digital to make a customer ’ s life easier , but we can ’ t afford to lose that human touch ”

WILL WRIGHT CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER , SANTANDER INTERNATIONAL
“ When we started it , I don ’ t think we realised how successful it would be on the islands . The first was in Jersey and , at the time , we hadn ’ t made a decision on a second , but the success drove us to open one on the Isle of Man as quickly as possible .
“ The most important thing is that this is for non-customers as well . It ’ s something I have to repeat a lot because it surprises people , but we really want Work Cafés to reflect our commitment to investing in local businesses and entrepreneurs .”
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