Aldermore, a new brand being launched on Friday, is promising &quotdependable banking&quot.

Borne out of the recent merger of Ruffler Bank and Base Commercial Mortgages, Aldermore will market a range of asset finance, leasing and commercial mortgage facilities for small and medium sized businesses and fixed rate bonds, notice accounts and ISAs for savers.

It wants to shun so-called ‘big banking’, promising to provide clients with &quotconsistently competitive rates&quot and a &quotstraightforward and dependable&quot service.

Phillip Monks, chief executive of Aldermore, said: “Consumers and businesses do not buy into the misplaced belief of many banks that being big is best. In reality