Clueless American here. I saw a commercial for Nationwide bank promising the keep their branches open until at least 2028. Is there a push to close banks? Is this more fallout from Brexit?

  • Baggins@piefed.social
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    7 months ago

    Personally? Very, very rarely now. The last time was to open a joint account with my wife. Can’t do that in the branch in Hertford (the county town) apparently. We didn’t bother in the end.

    Shopkeepers trying to pay in their takings, older people that can’t use web services. People that want to talk about their requirements rather than filling out a poorly thought out script on the aforementioned web page, all need somewhere physical.

    We are supposed to be getting a banking hub, the main banks will each have a representation there. Its been asked about for a couple of years now but hasn’t got anywhere.

    • EinfachUnersetzlich@lemm.ee
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      7 months ago

      Shopkeepers trying to pay in their takings

      I’m not in the industry so I have no idea - is this common rather than having cash collected by G4S & co.?

      older people that can’t use web services

      I’m guessing they mostly use the phone instead, but probably have no great need to do either.

      People that want to talk about their requirements rather than filling out a poorly thought out script on the aforementioned web page

      Can also be done on the phone.

      I’m not arguing that all banks should close their branches but with the way society works these days I can see how they’re incredibly expensive and inefficient to run.

      • Baggins@piefed.social
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        7 months ago

        I agree to a point - but not everyone wants to do stuff over the phone - some business is better done face to face.

        Shopkeepers had to drive to a bank, where ever that may be, now that Hertford branches are closing as well, that may be Welwyn Garden City, Bishops Stortford or Harlow. And with Hertford being the county town - I think that’s pretty piss poor.

        The banking hub is a great idea, but two years so far and sod all.

      • Jaccident@lemm.ee
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        7 months ago

        is this common

        Yes, it’s actually really common due to takings being relatively small in cash these days.

        Even when cash was much more prevalent, stores (even really big ones) would deposit in person. In 2005 my friend was required to walk to the bank at 8am the morning after the Xbox360 came out to deposit the entire takings of the midnight sale, in person. He worked for one of the biggest retailers in the UK at the time. IIRC he had over £35k in his backpack (even then many big purchases were being made using Chip and Pin).