The new team, which will be led by head of centre Andy Davidson, will provide a range of services to support businesses and individuals throughout Bradford and the Aire Valley.

The team will be responsible for the new £1 billion (around $1.5 billion) Business Expansion Fund, launched by the bank last year.

Key figures in the Yorkshire Bank Bradford business and private banking team include: Robert Mellor, commercial banking manager; Phil Shearstone, business development manager; Anthony Cope, small business manager (businesses with an annual turnover of up to £2.5 million); and Keeley Leese, private banking manager.

A similar team is serving Aire Valley with Andrew Cook as commercial banking manager and Clayton Birchall as private banking manager, the firm said.