This was followed by the purchase of the savings business of UK bank Bradford & Bingley ( B&B ) in September 2008 B&B had deposits of Â # 22bn , 2.6 m customers , 197 branches and 140 agencies . This was followed by the acquisition of the savings business of UK bank Bradford & Bingley ( B&B ) in September 2008 , with deposits of Â # 22bn , 2.6 m customers , 197 branches and 140 agencies .