I received a disappointing response from NatWest’s executive response team yesterday following my letter urging them to rethink the closure of their Norbury branch in our constituency.
Please see the below key points in their response:
“It’s always a very difficult decision when we close a branch and I understand that the closure of our NatWest branch in Norbury has come as a disappointment to your constituents.
I assure you that branches are and will continue to be an important part of our service for customers, however, the increased change in customer behaviour to digital banking means that our existing branch network is no longer fit for purpose.”
They have outlined certain mitigation measures that they’re taking:
- We have a dedicated support line 0800 051 4176 for customers who need a little more help and/or who are over 60 years of age. This phoneline is open 8am to 8pm seven days a week, with shorter waiting times.
- For customers who would like to bank locally, we have partnered with the Post Office to provide face to face banking services locally to our customers. Customers can pay money in, take money out, and check their balances at any Post Office branch.
- The Post Office in Norbury is only a four minute walk from the current branch location, open Monday to Friday 09.00 – 17.30 (closed between 13.00 – 13.30) and Saturday 09.00 – 13.00. There are also two other Post Offices within one mile of the Norbury branch.
- Business customers can also access banking services through the Post Office including cash deposits, withdrawals and access to notes and coins.
- To further assist businesses, we offer cash collections, deliveries and secure ‘Intelligence Safe’ cash storage which enables cash to be deposited and credited daily. Our digital and Bankline service also allows businesses to manage their accounts and payments 24/7.
This is not the response we wanted and I am disappointed as I know many of you will be. We received over 500 signatures to the petition which NatWest did recognise as part of their decision, so I am proud of the campaign that we ran.
Thank you for your support and I’m sorry we didn’t get the result we all hoped for with this decision.
The new Labour Government of which I am proud to be a part, have pledged the rolling out of banking hubs to guarantee face-to-face banking in every community to boost local high streets and shops with the cost of opening and operating the hubs being met collectively by the banks. This will make a difference to communities right across Britain including here in Norbury.
Please do get in touch with my office at [email protected] with any further casework enquiries and I will be happy to do my best to help.
