whats happening with the HSBC!

computerwoman

Hi everyone my son is with the HSBC at the moment and on friday when we went into the bank we noticed that they had 4 machines now, to pay money in etc, why is this, is the bank shutting down, so that it will be all machines and no people, am I panicing over a bunch of machines for nothing.

sgx.saint

Hi everyone my son is with the HSBC at the moment and on friday when we went into the bank we noticed that they had 4 machines now, to pay money in etc, why is this, is the bank shutting down, so that it will be all machines and no people, am I panicing over a bunch of machines for nothing.

Don't worry about it. HSBC have done this at quite a lot of branches nationwide from what I can see/hear.

It just allows customers who wish to do simple transactions i.e. withdraw/pay-in to do this quicker and usually without a wait.

It's a good thing in my opinion as it reduces the demands on the cashiers, and is therefore better for those people who need to speak to the cashier for whatever reason.

username

I do believe there is still counter service, but ultimately with shareholders to be accountable to, anything that will maximise profits and cut costs will be done, and if that includes cutting staff and counter service and allowing the rise of the machines, then so be it.

[cynical b*stard mode]

computerwoman

thanks its just that over the space of about a year the cashiers have gone from 3 to 1 and then now these machines have appeared, it seems that they are slowly trying to get rid of the person touch.

sgx.saint

thanks its just that over the space of about a year the cashiers have gone from 3 to 1 and then now these machines have appeared, it seems that they are slowly trying to get rid of the person touch.

Well, I still see it as being a good thing, as anything that reduces wait times and makes banking transactions quicker and simpler is always a plus in my book.

I don't think the banks will ever get rid of the 'human touch' as obviously there are many things the machines cannot do. But reduce staff numbers and increase machines, then yes the banks will do this as they probably see it as being a positive step, with no loss to the customer and increased savings for the bank.

gt94sss2

HSBC announced some time ago that they are going to spend £400 million on upgrading their branches in the UK.

As part of this, HSBC are installing 'express banking' machines at every branch in the UK to speed up routine transactions for people who don't want/need to queue - which I agree with sgx.saint is a good thing.

They are also opening 80 new commercial banking centres for business customers (if they want to use them instead of normal branches)

However, HSBC also have some other plans for some other branches which I will be very interested to see!

I believe they are calling them 'megastores' (i.e. around 35,000sq ft!) and the idea is they will be open-plan, with space for meetings, internet access and coffee areas. There are initially supposed to be 5 of them in the UK with others abroad

Some information here, here and here

computerwoman: As part of all these changes, I think some branches are being closed or relocated. HSBC has said that it wanted to 'move' 150 branches to busy high streets, shopping malls and business parks where it lacked a presence and that it also planned to open 50 new branches. However, I think HSBC has about 2000 branches in the UK so not many are moving/closing and as it sounds your son's branch is being 'upgraded' I don't think its going anywhere (I hope my local one isn't either - it was refurbished a few years ago but no express banking machines yet)

Regards
Sunil

Montymoo_2

thing that annoys me is when you go into a branch to speak to someone only to be pointed to a telephone

computerwoman

gt94sss2 thanks that has enlightened me alot, thanks for taking the time to explain things.

cifpower

My HSBC branch has absolutely no cashiers in it. Just 3 machines into which you can lodge cash/cheques and a one-woman receptionist who deals with your queries.

computerwoman

thanks for that, I do believe the branches that haven't been up-graded might be going all together, but the banks that have been up-graded, such as disabled access, might stay open but be automated, with just one person running the show.

SparciaM

all the HSBCs near me are all automated, with 1 receptionist and 1 counter staff dealing with everything, yet if you have a problem, the counter staff or receptionist wont help, they tell you to call using the red phone.

What's the point in having a counter member when you have to use the red phone. I had to change my address details and was told to use the red phone, and then told over the phone that I had to go into the branch (which was where I was calling from), they said it was for security reasons. Then the branch said no and told me to phone - what's the point?! As soon as I finish my loan with them I'm outta there!!!