The Bradford & Bingley name will live on in the UK’s high streets – at least for a while yet.

That is the pledge from new owner Santander, which acquired £20 billion of B&B savings deposits and its 197 branches for £612 million as part of its rescue of the troubled bank.

Alison Brittain, Santander’s director of retail distribution, made an early visit to Bradford after the dramatic events of the weekend to reassure B&B staff who now work for the Spanish-owned bank that it is “business as usual” following the take-over.

From B&B’s recently refurbished branch in Darley Street she held hour-long conference calls with all the 1,400 staff in B&B branches, agencies telephone and internet operations.

Miss Brittain said: “ I was very keen to come to Bradford as soon as possible and talk to all the staff.

“I also wanted two-way conversations so that I could address the understandable concerns that many staff would have following the events of last weekend.

“I believe that Bradford & Bingley staff are relieved that their future has been clarified after all the uncertainty of recent months and that they can honestly tell customers that their money is safe and in good hands.

“I was able to reassure them that Santander is totally committed to branches and personal service for customers.”

She said Santander’s acquisition of Bradford & Bingley had not been an accident. The Spanish company had considered buying it before as part of plans to expand its branch network in the UK, she said.

Santander, which bought Abbey National in 2004 and is due to complete the take-over of Alliance & Leicester on Friday, October 10, will have a high-street presence of more than 1,300 branches following the B&B deal.

Miss Brittain said she would look at introducing new products and services into B&B branches, including a current account as well as expanded telephone and internet services.

Abbey National had strengthened its telephone offering and recruited 60 extra staff in Bradford where the bank has about 800 staff in two centres, she said.

Miss Brittain joined Santander in January from Barclays, which she joined as a graduate trainee 20 years ago and spent six months working as a branch cashier. She said: “We are here to talk about expansion and future plans. It’s not about closing branches and getting rid of people.

“The message is that by belonging to a larger organisation staff have more career opportunities and customers will have greater security and access to a wider range of products and services.

“Branches are at the core of Santander’s business and we are looking to at growth and developing new opportunities.

“Santander values people with experience. I have done most jobs in branches over the years and am delighted to be working for an organisation.

The B&B's Darley Street branch had been busier than usual following the take-over, mainly with customers seeking reassurance about their funds.

B&B crisis special - click here