HSBC on Exeter Business Park to close

Following a thorough review, and taking into account a significant reduction in branch usage, HSBC UK has made a decision to close its branch on Exeter Business Park, transferring all customer accounts to the nearby Full Service Branch in Exeter High Street. The closure is planned to take place on 24th February 2022.

Customers of the Exeter Business Park branch are being notified of the decision within days, with information on the closure and guidance on alternative ways to bank, including options for digital banking and the day-to-day banking services available at the nearest Post Office.

There is no planned reduction in branch staff numbers, with all colleagues expected to be redeployed locally.

Clare Rowe, HSBC UK’s Local Director said: “Our Exeter Business Park branch is unusual in that it is on the outskirts of an industrial area, rather than being in a residential or city centre location. As such, the branch has always had a very low number of customers with a lower than average number of branch visits per customer than similar-sized branches. While the pandemic and lockdowns have skewed branch usage somewhat the direction is quite clear. In the time since opening hours have been extended, customer numbers have continued to reduce even further. With the branch seeing the number of customers coming through the door being cut by 45% on an already low number from before the pandemic started, unfortunately the branch is no longer viable.

“We do have banking alternatives available, whether that is visiting the existing branch in Exeter High Street, using our online or mobile banking or using the arrangement we have the with Post Offices to carry out day-to-day banking there. In addition to speaking with us in branch before 24th February, we will be arranging at least two ‘pop up’ events nearby where we can provide post-closure support and talk through the different options, help customers set up online and mobile banking and discuss any specific issues affecting them to try and find a solution.”