Halifax has issued an update about a change to its branch services. The bank chain spoke out as a customer voiced their frustation with the provider.
The person reached out to the bank to ask why they had decided to close the branch at the Hunts Cross shopping centre in Liverpool. The outlet closed its doors for good on June 8, with Halifax shutting down 25 branches throughout the month of June.
Halifax said in response: “Branch decisions are based on a range of factors, including how customers are choosing to bank and the availability of nearby services. You can find information about branch closures and alternative banking options here.”
The bank sent a link to its website with more guidance about branch closures. But the customer was not impressed with this response.
‘Not good enough’
They fumed: “That’s not good enough for me I’ve been banking with Halifax since I was about 13 and this is the first time I want to leave and join another bank. End of the day cash is king and you are just pushing people away from that so I think it’s time to leave.”
Halifax invited them to send a direct message to further explain their concerns. The person said they had already set out their complaint. They asked why Halifax was closing local branches “where people cash money in”.
To this Halifax provided a similar response to the first one. The bank said: “Branch decisions are based on a range of factors, including how customers use our services and the availability of alternative banking options nearby.”
More changes coming up
More branch closures are on the way this year, with Halifax set to close a string of branches in September, October and November. This includes another Liverpool branch closing, with the Huyton branch shutting on November 4.
In another major change affecting all customers, Halifax is changing its brand to start using the Lloyds banner. Halifax is already part of the Lloyds Banking Group, along with Lloyds Bank and Bank of Scotland.
Guidance on the Halifax website about the change explains: “The vast majority of Halifax branches will either rebrand to Lloyds, or you’ll be served by an existing Lloyds branch in that community. If there are any changes to your branch, we’ll let you know directly.”