One MP has told customers with current accounts with Santander and HSBC to bin their banks if they persist in denying them access to their accounts at the Post Office.
The two personal and business bank account providers have flatly refused to provide their customers with the same capabilities now available from every other major UK financial institution. This has led Liberal Democrat MP Ed Davey to describe both banks as behaving in a ‘disappointing’ manner for denying its customers access to their funds through Post Office branches.
Urging both HSBC and Santander to think twice about their decision, Mr Davey even went as far as to tell both institutions’ customers to bin them if they don’t clean up their act. Banks need to be told that they have a responsibility to their local communities and their customers, added the MP, adding that if both banks in question still refuse to budge, it may be time to find a new banking provider.
HSBC shuttered 58 of its branches throughout the UK last year. With 187 total closures last year, many communities have lost a local bank, which has led campaigners to lobby for wider access at Post Offices to offset the loss.
HSBC would not be adverse to the idea of opening access up at Post Office branches, one bank spokesman said. However, the spokesman said only 10 per cent of their customers would be interested in the services, according to recent research conducted by the banking provider.
Post Offices service some four million estimated people by offering the ability to access their current accounts at local branches. Many leading banks allow withdrawals and deposits at Post Office branches across the UK.