Branch Closure Impact Analysis Branch October 2015
Introduction This document provides a summary of the impact assessment for the closure of branch based on internal analysis and local community engagement. HSBC supports the industry wide Access to Banking Protocol (ABP) introduced by the British Banking Association (BBA) in May 2015. 1) Background Information a) Local Information (Source: Office for National Statistics www.ons.gov.uk) 18% of residents do not have access to a vehicle; below the England average of 26% Transport links to Preston are frequent and provide an efficient service. Other local towns such as are also accessible via public transport The average age of the population of is 43.1; slightly above the England average of 39 2.5% of residents are currently unemployed; below the England average of 4% Of those residents currently economically active, 21% work within the social services sector 17% of residents aged 16 or over do not have any formal qualifications. Compared with the England average of 23% this is low b) Broadband availability (source www.uswitch.com) Standard and fibre optic broadband are available from a variety of providers including Virgin Media, Sky Broadband and TalkTalk. Speeds of up to 40MB are available c) Closing Branch Details Branch Name: (402145) Region: North Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 09:30-15:30 Announcement Date: Last Bank: 20 July 2015 Closure Date: No 16 October 2015 at 14:30 d) Merger Branch Details (Accounts will be managed by this branch. Account details will not change.) Branch Name: Preston (403725) Distance: 2.6 miles Opening Hours: Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 09:00-17:00 Tues Thu 09:00-18:00 Page: 1
2) Alternative Ways to Bank a) Alternative HSBC Branch Branch Name Opening Hours Distance Leyland (402817) Mon-Fri 09:30-16:30 7.7 miles (402702) Mon/Wed/Thu/Fri Tue Sat 09:00-17:00 09:00-14:00 18.9 miles b) Parking Locations near Alternative Branches Preston St Wilfrid St Fox St 2 mins away 2.20 for 2hrs Free disabled parking Leyland Ecroyd St King St Sumner St 2 mins away Damside St 1.50 for 2hrs c) Local Public Transport to Alternative Branches Transport Service Destination Frequency Time For Journey Bus Preston Every 10mins 27 mins includes 7min walk Bus 2 per hour 65-80 mins You can also carry out most day-to-day banking transactions by calling HSBC customer service specialists on 03457 404 404. Alternatively you can manage your account using the HSBC Online Banking service or the HSBC Mobile Banking App available on iphone, ipad, ipod touch, Android TM and BlackBerry 10 devices. If you d like more information on alternative ways to access your account(s) or to register for telephone and/or Online Banking, visit the HSBC website at hsbc.co.uk/waystobank or any HSBC branch. Page: 2
d) Alternative Banking Facilities i) Competitors Competitor Location Distance Opening hours Cash Machine Nat West 0.0 miles Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri Wed 09:00-17:00 24hrs Lloyds 0.1 miles Mon/Fri Tue/Thu Wed 09:30-16:30 09:30-16:00 10:00-16:00 24hrs ii) Post Office Facilities All HSBC and first direct personal current account holders can use the Post Office for cash deposits and withdrawals and to deposit cheques. The nearest Post Office is: Location Distance Opening hours Cash Machine Garstang Road 0.0 miles 09:00-17:30 Mon/Sat 24hrs iii) Fee-Free ATMs and PayPoint Locations (Source: www.link.co.uk) These local stores have cash machines, PayPoint and cashback services available. Store Location Distance Opening Hours Gibsons 0.3 miles Booths 0.4 miles Mon-Sat Sun 07:00-22:00 09:30-16:00 Co-op 0.4 miles Tesco 0.8 miles Mon-Sun 07:00-23:00 There are 20 ATMs within a 1 mile radius, of which 17 are fee-free. An ATM will not be left following closure as there is access to fee free and 24 hour ATM s in the area. Page: 3
3) Community Engagement HSBC has written to customers of branch to advise of the decision to close and to offer support and training on alternative channels if required. One-to-one appointments are offered to provide customers with advice and practical solutions; including training on telephone and Online Banking where appropriate. In line with the Access to Banking Protocol HSBC provides 12 weeks notice of the closure to allow time for customers to consider their options. HSBC relationship managers are also proactively contacting their customers to advise of the closure and to answer any questions. Local HSBC business managers have discussed the closure and the options available with their customers. Branch employees continue to be available to talk through the many alternative ways of banking which are open to HSBC customers. HSBC branch employees have met, and will continue to meet with, vulnerable customers who may have problems accessing alternative banking facilities. HSBC contacted Ben Wallace MP to advise of the closure and offered to meet to explain the reasons for closure and to discuss how HSBC is supporting its customers. HSBC contacted the Citizens Advice Bureau and Preston Town Council regarding the closure; providing contact details for customers to call should queries be brought to the attention of either organisation. As part of the analysis used to inform our decision to close this branch we considered: The number of personal and small business branch users affected The age profile of branch users (i.e. both older and younger users) The number of vulnerable and other branch users who are more dependent on their branch than others (including but not limited to customers that are disabled, elderly, digitally excluded and/ or lower income customers) An analysis of potential future service users The availability of alternative ways to bank for customers who live locally or travel to use this branch is considered suitable. For further information please contact Preston, Fishergate branch on 03455 845 863. Braille, Large Print and Audio copies of this document can be provided upon request. All information provided was correct at the time of publication. Page: 4