No Poor Service At HSBC
IT seems that in the eyes of HSBC, the self-proclaimed “world’s local bank”, some customers just aren’t worth the bother.
The Guardian reports that the HSBC branch in the salubrious Canford Cliffs in Dorset has decided to offer face-to-face services only to its wealthier clients, with the great-unwashed having to make do with the cash withdrawal and automated paying-in machines.
The branch’s policy to only speak to customers with £50,000 or more in savings, a big mortgage or a salary of at least £75,000 has not surprisingly irked residents of the wealthy area, which includes the ‘millionaires’ row’ of Sandbanks, home to the likes of Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp and computer millionaire Sir Peter Ogden.
Indeed, even the church are peeved with local vicar Reverend Jeremy Oakes proclaiming “Our church banks there and we have a collection on a Sunday but I don’t know what we’re going to do if they won’t accept it.”
“BANK BANS THE POOR,” announces the Mirror’s front page. “GREEDY BANKERS.” The bank made profits of £11billion last year, says the paper.
A HSBC spokesperson said “We are trying to treat everyone fairly – not everybody in the world is equal”.
Of course they are – it’s just that some are more equal than others…
Posted: 12th, April 2007 | In: Money Comment (1) | TrackBack | Permalink