A BANKING firm has revealed the location of a new office which will create 150 jobs in Southampton.

Online bank Starling has chosen Beresford House at Town Quay for its first office outside of London, citing the area’s wealth of tech talent as one reason for its decision.

The new offices will house up to 50 software engineers and 100 customer service staff from May 21.

A spokesman said: “The new office will enable Starling to build out its business banking offer to better serve its fast-growing base of more than 600,000 current account customers.

“It will be based across four of the newly-refurbished office suites within Town Quay.

“The suites are part of a project launched last year to modernise the Town Quay site as part of a wider £5m investment to upgrade property owned by Associated British Ports (ABP).

“Being based at Town Quay, Starling Bank will benefit from excellent transport links by road, rail and sea, all within space that boasts fantastic views of Southampton Water.”

Anne Boden, the bank’s founder and chief executive, added: “What really attracts us to Southampton is the entrepreneurial spirit and its level of tech talent.

“As a port that’s open to the world, and with its history in engineering, Southampton is a great cultural fit for Starling.

“This beautiful office, overlooking the water, provides exactly the the kind of creative space that we are looking for as we grow our employee base.”

The move was welcomed by ABP ‘s Southampton director, Alastair Welch.

He said:”We are delighted that Starling Bank has chosen the Town Quay site to launch their second office and we extend a warm welcome to them.

“We continually invest in facilities at the port and we feel confident that the new modern office suites will make an ideal location for Starling’s expansion.

“Town Quay is fast becoming a business hub welcoming businesses from all sectors at the Port of Southampton.”

Starling, which was founded five years ago, has 500,000 current account customers and 30,000 business customers.

It is among a host of digital-only challenger banks that have sprung up in recent years aiming to take market share from traditional lenders. Much of its business is done via mobile phone apps.

The bank was attracted to Southampton because of its “growing and skilled jobs market, reputation as a burgeoning tech hub, transport links and easy access to London”.

Starling’s arrival has been welcomed by the city’s business leaders.

Mark Baulch, head of policy & representation at Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “This number of high quality jobs being created in the city will also be very warmly received by the retail and hospitality sectors as it brings additional people with disposable income into the area.”