Charity criticises bank closure plan

Most payments are made using online or mobile banking rather than in branch, HSBC said

A charity supporting older people in Guernsey has criticised a planned bank closure on the island, claiming it will make it harder for older people to access financial help.

It comes as HSBC announced its St Sampson's branch will close its doors for the last time on 24 September.

David Inglis, chairman and director of Age Concern Guernsey, said the decision to close was "at the expense of our older generation".

HSBC said it would call every vulnerable customer who prefers to bank in person to work on a "personalised" solution for them.

'Still frightened of using digital'

Customers will be able to continue accessing services and withdraw cash from branches in St Peter Port and St Martin following the closure, the bank said.

The charity claims accessibility to the St Peter Port, situated on the cobbled High Street, is a concern for older people with limited mobility.

"It's a real effort if they [older people] have to go into town," Mr Inglis said.

"St Sampson's is a well sited bank which allows immediate parking outside.

"There are very few banks left in Guernsey which are able to offer that service."

Customers who have not yet made the switch to digital services will also be at a disadvantage, it was claimed.

Mr Inglis said: "They are still frightened of using digital with their money.

"So they like the face-to-face, and handling of money in that way."

In a statement HSBC said it "continually reviews" its network to ensure it has sites in the "right locations".

The bank also said the decision to close was due to fewer than 1% of its customers now banking in branch, with 97% of payments made online.

It is estimated 6,000 local bank branches have closed across the British Isles since 2015, according to the consumer group Which?.

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