The bank has also has signed a contract with BT to manage the communications infrastructure with effect from 1 December, replacing a number of in-house managed contracts.

A&L says the new network will allow staff to be organised according to skills and capability rather than according to location. The network will also enhance customer service by helping ensure that calls are routed seamlessly to the best qualified staff.

Darren McKenzie, CTO at A&L, says: "A fully managed, converged network will enable us to increase our flexibility and so enhance the service we provide to our customers whether on the Internet, phone or in person, putting faster systems at the fingertips of staff and customers."

Ian Buchanan, director of technology at A&L, says the new network is "one of the ways in which technology is enabling the bank to transform its processes and support its strategy of becoming the UK's leading direct bank".