A West Midlands financial services brand has appointed One Black Bear following a three way pitch, as it sets its sights on an ambitious growth plan.

The Tipton & Coseley Building Society was established in 1901 and currently sees itself as a regional building society with a national presence. Savers are both local and national with mortgages offered to customers in England and Wales. Latterly, the business has taken the initiative with new markets, including a Retirement Interest Only (RIO) and a second homes and holiday lets mortgage which permits AirBnB letting.

One Black Bear managing partner Kate Hartshorn, who also leads the agency’s planning team, commented: “Our first task is a major research project to help reposition the Tipton to mortgage intermediaries. We’re doing a mix of qualitative and quantitative work to uncover views about the Building Society, its offer and what it needs to do to grow. Off the back of this research, we will be coming up with a creative strategy to support the positioning. It is really exciting to be working with a progressive business that is looking to embrace current trends and what consumers want in terms of financial services.”

Founded in 2003 by business partners and creative duo Jon Harrison and Richard Elwell, One Black Bear now has a diverse team of creatives, strategists, content producers, digital, PR and social specialists.