Metro Bank, the challenger bank which joined the high street in 2010, is due to launch a wave of new branches and create 500 jobs nationally.

The lender, which already has locations in Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells, said it has plans to open in Canterbury later this year.

It confirmed in December its assets have surpassed £10 billion and that it has more than 900,000 customer accounts.

The bank, which listed on the London Stock Exchange last year, will open six stores across London and the South East. It employs 3,000 people.

Chief executive Craig Donaldson said: “This year is already set to be another exciting one for Metro Bank and in order to support our ambitious plans we’re looking for 500 new colleagues to join our growing team.”