A PERSONAL banker from Wirral is among 12 semi-finalists competing for a prestigious award honouring the industry's best.

Cole Hallsworth will compete for a place in the Young Banker of the Year final next month.

After working in hospitality the 31-year-old, from Wallasey, decided on a change of career and moved to banking.

He works for RBS/Natwest Group and started in January 2019.

He recently qualified as a personal banker and gained his letter status CCBI. Cole is currently working on his Cemap qualification and professional banking diploma.

His proud wife Charlotte told the Globe: "After achieving all he could in the hospitality industry he decided to follow his dream to become a personal banker.

"He's always been highly driven to achieving his goals and aspirations and continues to thrive.

"Cole is very excited and humbled to have this opportunity to go further in his career.

"Other than helping customers with their current financial needs he has quickly become a key member of the banking team.

"The fact that he has reached the last 12 out of the country is finally making him realise he is finally achieving his dream.

"With the odds stacked against him Cole has managed to exceed all expectations, and his outlook to the future is a very positive one.

A statement on the Chartered Banker Institute's website read: "Well done to everyone who participated, the quality of applications this year were extremely high.

"Due to the effects of COVID-19, we have had to change the competition process slightly, and therefore we have given more contestants the chance to present their idea to a panel of judges."