Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks to close 28 branches

kirkbyinfurnesslad_2

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-26731308

Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks are to close 28 "unsustainable" branches and invest £45m in customer improvements under plans to reshape their retail banking operations.

Clydesdale and Yorkshire, part of National Australia Bank (NAB), expect to save £5m by the branch closures.

They added that frontline jobs would be safeguarded.

New posts are being created at their busiest branches, while support will be given to displaced branch managers.

Six "flagship" branches will be developed as well as improved mobile and internet banking services under a programme to "replace, renew, relocate and reinvest" across the retail branch network.

The flagship branch programme will include the refurbished Glasgow head office and newly refurbished London Piccadilly branch, along with four new large flagship branches in Aberdeen (St Nicholas), Sheffield (Fargate), Edinburgh and Leeds.

'Positive change'
Details of which branches will close have yet to be released.

David Thorburn, chief executive of Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank, said: "There's a lot of positive change being driven forward for our customers and there needs to be more as we build a better bank.

"Here we are making a significant investment to meet the changing needs of customers now and in the future.

"But to deliver what are fundamentally necessary changes, we have to face in to difficult decisions. No branch closure is welcomed by customers or staff, I understand that, which is why we are working to minimise the effects these changes have on them.

"Our resources must now be focused on where they can deliver the best results for customers, moving with them as their demands change."

He added: "A branch network remains at the core of what we do, and we are investing in it, but we must balance that against the investment we need to make in the services customers now expect and are using more - online and mobile banking services that give customers control of their finances when and where they want it most."

'Less choice'
Rob Macgregor, Unite union national officer, said: "The bank is cutting costs and eroding community banking which we believe leaves customers with less choice.

"Customers are being short-changed by high street banks replacing counter staff with machines, yet, according to our own poll, nearly three-quarters of people want the human touch, not just a machine in their local bank branch.

"Unite will oppose compulsory redundancies and we expect the company to do everything possible to make redeployment an option and allow workers to move to neighbouring branches wherever possible."

Last month, Clydesdale Bank's Australian owner said it was setting aside further funds to meet the costs of rising customer complaints and regulatory challenges in the UK.

Its UK operation - the Clydesdale Bank, including the Yorkshire Bank brand - saw improved cash earnings during the fourth quarter of 2013.

This was helped by lower costs, having shed staff.

In April 2012, it announced plans to reduce staffing from 8,300 to 6,900, while shrinking its commercial lending activities.

baby_frogmella

Considering the disgusting customer service Clydesdale Bank offer in their branches i say good riddance!

pmduk

In my experience Yorkshire are no better.

System

I like my Clydesdale Bank Direct account. Best bank I've been with.

It is inevitable that there will be branch closures - bank branches are something of an anachronism, especially when the Post Office can be used for deposits. I would expect over the next decade there will be fewer and fewer bank branches on our high streets.

Walking into some of the palatial branches of the big banks I really am left thinking 'What is all this for? It must cost a fortune to run this place!'.

GingerFurball_2

nearly three-quarters of people want the human touch, not just a machine in their local bank branch.

Yet won't use that human service enough to justify using it.

JuicyJesus

GingerFurball wrote: »

Yet won't use that human service enough to justify using it.

Indeed. All very well saying it's nice having people around in branches to serve you but if you aren't going to pay for the service then you shouldn't expect it.

danedin

Last time I set foot in a Clydesdale Bank it looked very old fashioned inside. I only wanted to open a current account because I couldn't do it online. I couldn't get an appointment to suit me so didn't open one in the end.

MCGONIS

This is what annoys me about the Clydesdale bank. It is stuck in a timewarp. You cannot open an account with them online. It refers you to branch. But then they say the needs of people are changing and they are closing some branches.

Have a proper website that allows an account to be opened online then please! I am not taking time off work to visit a branch!

They are contradicting themselves somewhat.

Nicki_Sue

I'm with Yorkshire and my branch is one that is closing. My account will (I'm guessing as we haven't had letters yet) be transferred to the branch closest to us which is 10 miles away and no use to me. Hey-ho.

Archi_Bald

How about taking the opportunity and switch to another bank? Some even pay you for switching your accounts to them

Also, many banks allow deposits and withdrawals at Post Offices, so it isn't the end of the world if the nearest branch of "your" bank is miles away. http://www.postoffice.co.uk/banking-services

System

MCGONIS wrote: »

This is what annoys me about the Clydesdale bank. It is stuck in a timewarp. You cannot open an account with them online. It refers you to branch. But then they say the needs of people are changing and they are closing some branches.

Have a proper website that allows an account to be opened online then please! I am not taking time off work to visit a branch!

They are contradicting themselves somewhat.

Fair point, but I live miles away from the nearest Clydesdale Bank branch and I opened my account over the phone with no issues. Can't imagine why I would ever need to visit a branch. Having to phone them was a slight inconvenience, but certainly not a deal-breaker.