NatWest - Documentary BBC 2

henm2

Definitely not a small branch. A typical city branch of a bank would have between 50 to 80 staff nowadays e.g. Leeds, Coventry. Huddersfield featured in the program would be the next tier down so it is a reasonable size. I did work in the finance industry in the town many years ago.
Looks like smaller branches than this are vulnerable to closure in the coming years http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/bank-accounts/11664257/Bank-branch-closures-accelerate-with-399-confirmed-already-in-2015.html

veryintrigued

pinkdalek wrote: »

So totally contradicting what you said previous, about total respect for the staff many years ago, compared to now where majority of decisions are made by computers.

She's all over the shop.

In one post she's complaining she was turned down for an overdraft by a bank manager 30 years ago, in another suggesting that 30+ years ago her bank felt like the IRA and then she states she respected all staff who used to work in banks in this period rather than now.

Multiple people must have access to her forum login!!

chambta

henm2 wrote: »

Definitely not a small branch. A typical city branch of a bank would have between 50 to 80 staff nowadays e.g. Leeds, Coventry. Huddersfield featured in the program would be the next tier down so it is a reasonable size. I did work in the finance industry in the town many years ago.
Looks like smaller branches than this are vulnerable to closure in the coming years http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/bank-accounts/11664257/Bank-branch-closures-accelerate-with-399-confirmed-already-in-2015.html

50-80?! That sounds a huge number. Our area manager, covering 10 branches, has nowhere near that number in total!

Goldiegirl

When you consider that these days customer admin is done remotely at service centres, it's difficult to know what 30 staff would do all day, expect 'obtain leads' and 'do customer reviews'.

Goldiegirl

I thought the programme was fairly dull last night, focussing on less than engaging people, rather than bank stuff.

A couple of things that occurred to me.

The couple who went in to increase their credit card limit because they thought they were going to be made redundant. It really annoys me that people complain that their banks aren't honest but are quite happy, like these people, to lie by omission, by not giving vital information that would affect the banks decision. Then, a few months later, no doubt will cry 'mis-selling' as they should never have been given a limit increase with pending redundancy!:mad:

Also, the manager/assistant manager woman, seemed to have no idea about mortgages - not so long ago a person in her position would be responsible for approving lending decisions on loans and mortgages.

MABLE

Goldiegirl wrote: »

I thought the programme was fairly dull last night, focussing on less than engaging people, rather than bank stuff.


Also, the manager/assistant manager woman, seemed to have no idea about mortgages - not so long ago a person in her position would be responsible for approving lending decisions on loans and mortgages.

I just found it laughable especially when the acting manager was informed about her being credit checked.

Paul_1977

I must say the managers partner did not seem to keen on the buying of the house.

Just a few things I noticed.

Anyone know what the machines were near the front of the branch, looked like something from the 80's was shocked they were still installed. Had a CASH sign above them.

My local Santander still uses 25 year old ATM's.

Also there was an RBS branch over the road.

willhub

Goldiegirl wrote: »

Also, the manager/assistant manager woman, seemed to have no idea about mortgages - not so long ago a person in her position would be responsible for approving lending decisions on loans and mortgages.

The manager probably did have a good understand but can't see what the bank may be able to lend her herself, and also she's not able to approve or apply for a mortgage herself, obviously.

And to be able to go any further than the real basics of mortgages or even say anything further than the real basics you have to go through qualifications essentially on the route to being a mortgage adviser.


Paul are you surprised there is an RBS branch over the road?

Paul_1977

Yes, I was under the impression banks used any excuse under the sun to close a branch if they could get away with it.

I thought the RBS or Natwest branch would have been closed and the customers directed to the other branch.

I know they used to be separate banks (and will be again soon) but you would think, once RBS acquired Natwest, that either branch would be closed to save money. Perhaps they are not allowed to?

MME_2

Paul_1977 wrote: »

I thought the RBS or Natwest branch would have been closed and the customers directed to the other branch.

I know they used to be separate banks (and will be again soon) but you would think, once RBS acquired Natwest, that either branch would be closed to save money. Perhaps they are not allowed to?

They are separate banks though, always have been. Yes they are both part of the RBS Group but they are still separate entities all together.

Much like TSB and Lloyds were both within the Lloyds Banking Group but are separate banks.