Barclays Commits to Alternative In-Person Service in Community Branch Closures

Barclays Commits to Alternative In-Person Service in Community Branch Closures

(IN BRIEF) Barclays is expanding its “Barclays Local” flexible banking format in response to changing customer needs. The bank is expanding its Barclays Local in-person banking support service by over 70 sites in 2023, in addition to 200 opened in 2022, including entering new locations without a Barclays presence. The bank is also launching new banking pods, semi-permanent structures in shopping centers and retail parks, and will scale its “Cashback without Purchase” service across the UK. The bank is committed to providing alternative in-person service in communities when a branch closes. Barclays is adapting its physical footprint due to declining traditional branch usage and increased digital banking.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 30-Jan-2023 — /EuropaWire/ —  Barclays (LON: BARC), a British multinational universal bank, announces its plans to expand its flexible banking formats to provide in-person support to customers in new locations across the UK. The bank will increase the number of Barclays Local branches by over 70 sites in 2023, in addition to the 200 opened in 2022. The plans also include the launch of new banking pods, purpose-built, semi-permanent structures in locations such as shopping centres and retail parks, to provide dedicated and private banking spaces.

Barclays has responded to declining customer branch usage and the increase in digital channel banking by introducing a new, flexible format that reflects customer needs and usage. Barclays Local, the bank’s largest network of alternative branch formats, provides in-person banking support in community locations and new banking pods. Barclays Local colleagues provide face-to-face assistance and help customers with their everyday finances and money management needs. The format also includes free digital skills workshops and fraud and scams awareness events for the community.

In response to declining traditional branch usage, Barclays is introducing the banking pods as part of its Barclays Local service. At least 10 banking pods will be rolled out across the UK by summer 2023, following the success of the first pod in St Austell. Six electric vehicle (EV) banking vans will also be added to the existing fleet of 10, enabling the bank to reach customers in remote locations.

Jo Mayer, Head of Everyday Banking at Barclays UK, commented: “Barclays Local provides a flexible way to reach customers in new locations and retain a presence where customer footfall has reduced, bringing face-to-face support to convenient locations. As visits to branches continue to fall, we need to reimagine where and how we show up to provide the best service for customers now and in the future. Our new banking pods and community pop-ups help us to tailor our in-person support for each location, including support with digital skills. In areas where we close a branch, we will maintain our presence in that community offering an alternative face-to-face solution.”

Barclays is also committed to protecting long-term access to cash and will scale its ‘Cashback without Purchase’ service across the UK, creating new locations for consumers to withdraw cash for free via thousands of small businesses. The bank is also a driving force behind the Cash Action Group (CAG) and Banking Hubs, a shared space for the major banks to operate from one day per week.

Media contact:
ukpressoffice@barclays.com

SOURCE: Barclays