HSBC Bridge branch to close in September

The announcement was made despite the banking giant pledging not to close any UK branches until at least 2026.

The closure will leave Lloyds as the only bank branch at Guernsey’s second-biggest retail centre.

HSBC customers were emailed yesterday afternoon with the details, but there were no signs visible at the branch.

HSBC customer Roy Vidamour was been using the cashpoint outside yesterday afternoon. He said he had no idea the branch was shutting down.

‘I only live round the corner and this is my local branch. I had no idea it was shutting,’ he said.

‘It is a little disappointing as it’s so convenient. However, I have to say I rarely go in, and haven’t been in for at least three months, and that was just to get some UK notes.’

The bank said that the decision had come as the company looked to ‘re-shape the branch network’ in Guernsey. Like all banks, it has seen a reduction in footfall and increased demand for online and mobile banking.

Alvaro Teixeira, head of wealth and personal banking at HSBC Channel Islands and Isle of Man, said the closure would not mean any job losses.

‘The way people bank is continuing to change and we know from our review that the majority of customers have a preference to do much of their day-to-day banking digitally,’ he said.

‘While we have seen a decline in the number of customers using our branches, we’ve developed a model that provides islanders with both the opportunity for face-to-face servicing as well as online banking products and services.

'Throughout this transition period, we’ll be working closely with our teams and customers to ensure that we continue to offer excellent service that reflects the different ways our customers are choosing to bank with us.’

HSBC said that 97% of payments are now made online and 75% of cash withdrawals are being made at an ATM.

The company also announced it would be refurbishing its St Martin’s store at Manor Stores.

That branch is temporarily closing from on Thursday 20 February, with five months of renovation works planned, before it is due to reopen on Tuesday 5 August.

HSBC said the refurbishment represented a substantial investment in the island and would significantly improve the branch experience for customers, with a modernised customer area, new suite of private meeting rooms, counter service and a range of automated equipment.

HSBC will be left with just two branches in Guernsey – St Martin’s and Town – as well as branches in Alderney and Sark The bank last closed a branch in 2018 at Landes du Marche. The Bridge branch will permanently close on Wednesday 24 September.