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<p>Though I can understand the disappointment felt in a community when a bank branch
closes, the decision to maintain a presence on the high street is a commercial one
for the management team of a bank and Government does not intervene in those decisions.</p><p>
</p><p>The retail financial landscape is changing, as more consumers and businesses
opt for the convenience, security, and speed of digital payments and digital banking.
Banking service providers need to balance customer interests, market competition,
and other commercial factors when considering their strategy.</p><p> </p><p>However,
the Government also firmly believes that the impact of branch closures should be understood,
considered, and mitigated where possible so that all customers, wherever they live,
continue to have access to over-the-counter banking services if they wish to use them.
That’s why the Government supports the industry’s Access to Banking Standard which
helps customers to understand the options they have locally to continue to access
banking services, including specialist assistance for customers who need more help,
which may include the elderly. Alternative options include the Post Office, which
allows 95% of business and 99% of personal banking customers to carry out their everyday
banking at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.</p>
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