Loyalty counts for nothing as banks withdraw services

BANKING bosses seem to have utter contempt for their customers.

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A familiar sight in banking, NatWest has also announced plans to close branches

The announcement by Lloyds Banking Group that it plans to close a further 95 branches across the UK this year is not just another blow to the future of the high street but also shows that loyalty and customer service counts for nothing these days.

This latest round of closures will impact customers of Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank’ of Scotland. People hit by these closures will feel neglected and worthless.

Lloyds Bank branches are set to shut in a variety of places including Birkenhead, Bournemouth, Crowborough, Hinkley, Honiton, Lancaster, Newmarket, Redhill, ‘Tewkesbury and Uttoxeter. Birmingham is par ticularly badly hit with four closures alone scheduled for June.

Elsewhere in the banking group, Halifax branches will be closed in locations such as Ashton-under-Lyne, Bognor Regis, Chichester, Didsbury, Ellesmere Port, Halesowen, Skelmersdale, Sutton Coldfield and Torquay. Bank of Scotland branches will be axed in Blairgowrie, Kelso and Stone-haven, among other spots across the country.

This announcement is, sadly, nothing new and follows the decision by NatWest to prune its network of branches, with closures due in Brentwood, Pontefract, Sheffield, South Shields and Welwyn Garden City along with other locations.