EUROPE PRESS
01/23/2019 | Updated at 12:10 CET
Santander has announced the closure of a total of 140 branches of its network of offices in the United Kingdom, a measure that will affect 1,270 employees, in response to «changes in the way that customers relate to the bank,» according to informed the entity.
The bank chaired by Ana Botín has indicated that this measure has already been consulted with the unions, and has ensured that it will try to relocate «as far as possible» to the 1,270 employees who will be affected.
«It is expected to relocate about a third of those affected in the coming weeks as the consultation process continues,» said the entity, so the surplus of staff would be around 850 employees.
In this way, Santander will maintain a network of branches in the United Kingdom of 614 offices after the proposed changes, compared to the current 754. Also, during the next two years will renew some 100 branches, which will allocate 55 million pounds (62.87 million euros).
Santander aims to create a branch network that combines larger offices with improved facilities to support local businesses and customers, and smaller ones that use state-of-the-art technologies to offer clients better access to banking services.
At the same time, the entity is committed to offering solutions to customers who are affected by the closure of branches, proposing other ways to conduct their transactions or helping them find alternative offices.
The bank has stressed that the number of transactions made through its branches has decreased by 23% in the last three years, while transactions through digital channels have grown by 99% in the same period.
The director of Commercial and Business Banking at Santander in the United Kingdom, Susan Allen, explained in a statement that the way her clients operate «has changed dramatically in recent years», with more and more users using mobile channels and online, so the entity has had to make «some very difficult decisions» regarding the branches less frequented by customers and those that are located very close to other offices.
«We are working together with our unions to help our workers through these changes and to find alternative positions for those affected whenever possible,» said Allen, who has ensured that, after the changes, the entity will have a » adequate branch network «to meet the changing needs of its customers.
In addition, the director of Commercial and Business Banking at Santander in the United Kingdom pointed out that the forecast is that the size of the branch network will remain stable in the near future.