HSBC has changed its opening times at two-thirds of its branches, with customers facing more than 30% reduction in service in 26 of those affected. The bank says it is making its temporary Covid-19 hours permanent because of a "significant reduction in footfall".
The move follows an announcement earlier in the year that it plans to close 69 branches between July and October this year, which is in addition to the 82 HSBC branches that closed in 2021 and 27 in 2020.
What are the changes to HSBC opening times?
Starting this month, 172 "cash service branches" will be open between 9.30am and 3.30pm on Monday to Friday and will close at weekends. This represents a 30-minute increase for 148 of these branches, while 24 branches will experience a reduction in hours of more than 30%. This type of branch is generally designed to service communities that need greater access to cash, but also offer a range of other over-the-counter services.
Meanwhile, 163 branches will be open between 9.30am and 4.30pm on weekdays and between 9.30am and 1.30pm on Saturdays. These include both digital service, which only have self-service technology and don't offer counter service, as well as a number of full-service branches.
Additionally, 105 branches will open between 9.30am and 4.30pm on weekdays and close at weekends. Again, these are a combination of digital and full-service branches.
To check if your branch is affected, use the HSBC branch finder. The branches facing more than 30% reduction are:
- Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire.
- Barkingside, London.
- Beverley, Yorkshire.
- Canary Wharf, London.
- Christchurch, Dorset.
- Cirencester, Gloucestershire.
- Dartford, Kent.
- Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway.
- Epsom, Surrey.
- Folkestone, Kent.
- Harpenden, Hertfordshire.
- Hertford, Hertfordshire.
- Hitchin, Hertfordshire.
- Hornchurch, London.
- Lowestoft, Suffolk.
- Meadowhall, Yorkshire.
- Paignton, Devon.
- Penrith, Cumbria.
- Port Talbot, Neath Port Talbot.
- Selby, Yorkshire.
- St Austell, Cornwall.
- Tonbridge, Kent.
- Trowbridge, Wiltshire.
- Wallington, London.
- Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.
- Weymouth, Dorset.
What to do if your local HSBC branch is closed
In addition to using HSBC online banking services through its website or app, you can access some services at the Post Office, including making cash/cheque deposits, withdrawing money or checking your balance. Alternatively, there are a number of "pop-up" HSBC branches, which provide education about the bank's products and services, as well as helping customers to, for example, make payments up to £25,000 in the UK, make international payments or deposit a cheque up to £500.
If you are thinking of switching to another bank, read our article "Best current account switching offers, cashback and incentives".
