Why do banks in the UK open such customer un-freindly hours?

Question

My local branch of RBS opens 9.15 - 4.45 mon - fri , no weekends , i have to take time out of work just to go into the branch

Answer 1

RBS are notorious for having bad opening times. Most others are 9-5 and 9-12 on saturdays.
I would suggest the Abbey as a possible replacement, i dont know if it is standard but they open 8:30-6:00 weekdays and 10-4:30 on a saturday near me in Glasgow.

With 24 hour telephone banking and internet servicing most banks seem to have forgotten about the branch network.
The most effective way of changing something is to vote with your feet.

especially in the big cities, banks opening times would match with the biggest businesses so they could use the bank to deposit takings during the day.
Banks make a very small proportion of the billions reported from actual personal banking. Most of it is business banking or the banks own investments and subsiduary companies

Answer 2

Tell me about it! It's a right pain. If you work 9 til 5 you're always busy while the bank is open! Makes no sense.

Internet banking is the way forward though. I'm with Halifax and have had a simple CardCash account for about 6 years now. I was in there transfering money to a friend the other day and they advised me to switch to a new Current account which has far more features and can be completely controlled online.

That's the way forward - online banking. Surely you can sign into your RBS account online? If you can't do what you need to do online perhaps you need to open a new account with a different bank that will allow you do do everything online.

Answer 3

I suggest you find a bank closer to your workplace and go at lunchtime. Change your account and tell them why you're leaving. Or do what I do - have two current accounts - one near where I work so I can pop there at lunch and one which my salary goes into and pays a great rate of interest. Then, if I have a bill to pay, I transfer money to the bank account that is held near where I work and can pay it by cheque, thus getting the greatest rate of return on my immediate cashflow.

As for why their hours are so short, I would put it down to the fact that there's a lot of admin to done before and after open hours which requires the staff to work after the branch has closed - stuff like counting money, processing cheques and ensuring all security measures are followed. So don't be too hard on them unless you see them skipping out the door five minutes later...

Answer 4

Thats as best as it gets! If you have queries that can be answerd over the phone then use telephone banking if it involves cash some branches have quick deposit boxes etc. All banks operate those hours and i dont believe it would be feasible to open before 9am and after 6pm. Security and overhead costs play a big part in hours as such.

Answer 5

Try on-line banking or telephone banking.
There are banks which have branches that open on Saturday (for a few hours or so)

Answer 6

my local branches are open 9 - 5pm and as I finish at 4pm it suits me just fine. If it bothers you that much use telephone or internet banking.

Answer 7

because that is the law for every bank in the UK unfortunatley. That is why banks get so busy at lunchtimes and early in the morning.

Answer 8

I've just changed to an online only bank and will never look back.

firstdirect are fab.. but still have to go to banks to put cheques or cash in :(

Answer 9

And why Bank Holidays anyway? They're an anachronism nowadays yet continue, stupidly.

Answer 10

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, my little violin is playing for you now. It's the same for all of us mate. Move banks or get used to it I say. lol