THE HSBC bank has defended its decision to downgrade the Redditch branch on Church Green West to a ‘digital service branch’.
Natasha Moore, HSBC UK’s Local Director, said: “We need to make changes to our branch network to make sure it is sustainable and fit for the future.
“In January we announced that some branches are closing and how our branch network will be evolving.
“The biggest change customers will see will be the removal of a counter.
“Virtually all other services the branch previously offered will be maintained, it might just be done in a different way.
“This is an evolution in our branches, and there will need to be a certain evolution in how our customers bank.
“We are very conscious that there will be some customers who are less confident or comfortable using self-service options, and we would like to assure them that we will not be leaving any of our customers high and dry.
“We are contacting vulnerable customers by phone to discuss the forthcoming change and will be supporting them alternative ways to do their banking.
“Our branch staff will also be on hand to help in the banking hall rather than behind a screen.”