It was heartening, although perhaps not surprising, to see a significant vote of confidence in Glasgow from a major UK financial institution.

Building society Nationwide last month highlighted the importance of Glasgow to its operations as it declared Scotland’s largest city would be its base north of the Border in the wake of its acquisition of Virgin Money, a business taking in the former Clydesdale Bank.

Nationwide, as it revealed it was embarking on a major expansion of its footprint at 177 Bothwell Street in Glasgow, declared the move underlined its commitment to Scotland and highlighted its ambitions to expand its business banking activities.

The building society revealed that around 3,000 of its employees would be based at 177 Bothwell Street.

It said the office, which it described as “Glasgow’s largest”, would be “central to future growth, particularly in business banking”.

Nationwide is taking a further two floors at 177 Bothwell Street – the former Virgin Money headquarters in Scotland.

The building society said last month that staff in the Nationwide Glasgow hub on Argyle Street would be relocating to 177 Bothwell Street. It noted that there are slightly more than 200 employees currently based at this Argyle Street hub.

Asked if there was an estimate of the number of jobs which would be created with the planned expansion in business banking, the mutual replied: “Nationwide will be recruiting for over 100 roles in business banking, many in Glasgow.”

Nationwide will take the further two floors of office space at 177 Bothwell Street – bringing the total to five – from spring 2027.

The move was welcomed by Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport Stephen Flynn when........

© Herald Scotland