Signs like this are disappearing from UK high streets (PA)
(Picture: PA Wire)HSBC has announced the closure of 114 of its UK branches, in a move that will cut their number by a just over a quarter.
The global FTSE 100 giant said the move came a drop-off in usage since the pandemic. It will be left with 327 branches nationwide.
Staff will be redeployed where possible, but around 100 jobs are at risk. The closures will start being made from April.
Tobias Gruber, founder an CEO of Mycommunityfinance.co.uk, which connects borrowers with what it calls “ethical lenders” such as credit unions, said: ““Post offices are one alternative for basic transactions like paying in cheques and cash, but this move by HSBC will undoubtedly leave even more ... customers that don’t wish and [are] unable to use the internet to do their banking frustrated, stuck and unable to access their money”.
He added: “I’m not surprised HSBC have announced they’re set to close yet more branches as customers transition to online banking in their droves, but I hope the bank will plough the money saved into improving their digital and telephone banking offerings.“
Jackie Uhi, HSBC UK’s Managing Director of UK Distribution, said: “People are changing the way they bank and footfall in many branches is at an all-time low, with no signs of it returning. Banking remotely is becoming the norm for the vast majority of us.”
Here’s the full list of London branches going:
- Bethnal Green
- Putney
- Twickenham,
- North Finchley
- Palmers Green
- 122 Finchley Road
Towns in the wider south east that are losing theirs include:
- Harpenden
- Bexhill-on-Sea, Hove
- Waltham Cross,
- Marlow
- Seaford
- Tonbridge
- Windsor, Henley-on-Thames,
- Reigate,
- Hertford
- Waltham Cross
- Hythe
