HSBC unveils fifth revamp in €8m branch programme

More HSBC customers are migrating from over-the-counter to automated transactions and teller activity dropped 14 per cent last year, HSBC head of personal financial services Andrew Ripley said at the opening of the newly refurbished branch in Żejtun.

Transactions through internet banking rose by 14 per cent while deposit machine usage increased by 10 per cent. Card usagehas increased by 13 per cent, translating in less use of cash: ATM usages increased by only one per cent.

Żejtun is the fifth branch to be refitted in the dedicated €8 million programme announced by HSBC last year.

Mr Ripley said the modernised Zejtun branch is key to the development of the HSBC network in the south of Malta, and complements the other revamped branch opened a few months ago in Paola.

Four more branches will be refurbished this year to HSBC Group retail design standards, meaning that customers who visit an HSBC branch across the globe will experience the same high standard of customer service.

HSBC refurbished other branches in Buġibba, Ħamrun, and Swieqi last year. Swieqi, the first dedicated Premier Centre, registered increased volume of activity mainly by Premier, Advance and new-to-bank customers requiring the personalised service the centre is equipped to offer.

HSBC has also opened a new Premier outlet in Valletta’s Archbishop Street as part of its extensive head office refurbishments. Mr Ripley explained that following constant customer feedback, branch network operations are consistently fine-tuned: evening banking services available in Mosta, Paola, High Street Sliema and Gozo will be extended to Swieqi and Rabat.

Evening services will nolonger be available in Birkirkara, Ħamrun, Marsascala, Valletta’s Merchants Street and San Ġwann.