Following the recent controversy to serve only richer customers at one of HSBC's UK branches, the international banking titan has rejected suggestions that it is failing to serve the community of Canford Cliffs and Westbourne.
The branch at Canford Cliffs is said to be small, with no counter or cashier service. However, in defense, the bank has stated that any customer or member of the public can use the only free cash machine in the village, and other equipment available. Furthermore, the branch will begin to open on Saturdays.
Meanwhile, just one mile away in Westbourne, HSBC’s branch of 15 staff includes three counter positions and a full service to customers. Two miles away in Poole, HSBC’s branch has 35 members of staff and six counters.
From June 11, 2007, the Canfords Cliff office will provide a service for its Premier customers. It will have three local staff to answer general enquiries from any customer but they will be specifically trained to advise on Premier products only. Other customers who want to talk about a mortgage, or investments or other products, will be served by the company’s branches in Westbourne and Poole.
HSBC has stated that it is merely tailoring its facilities to serve the needs of the community, where Canford Cliffs serves a small and unique community with an unusually high concentration of Premier customers.