Why Barclays Bank is shutting down seven branches

david nganga

July 3, 2017 2:19 PM

Speaking exclusively to P Live, the bank's communications manager also addressed the issue of staff redundancy

___6934618___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___6934618___2017___7___3___11___Barclays-Bank-of-Kenya

The Barclays Bank of Kenya on Monday announced that it would close seven of its branches countrywide.

The affected branches, namely Wundanyi, Nakumatt Meru, Moi Avenue, Haile Selassie, Kawangware, Rahimtula and Waiyaki Way, would be relocated to new outlets as it seeks to improve on its operational efficiency.

Speaking to P Live Kenya on phone, Barclays Bank Communications Manager Chris Wokabi said that the lender reached the decision in a bid to cut on operational costs.

“What we are doing at the moment is basically relocating one branch to a different location where we have another operational branch so as to save on costs we incur on space,” said Mr. Wokabi.

“For instance in our Queensway branch we have 13 teller counters but 5 operational tellers leaving 8 free counters. Whereas if you look at our Moi Avenue branch, we have 8 teller counters whereas only 4 tellers are only operational.

“So it only makes business sense to move the tellers from Moi Avenue to fill up the free spaces at the Queensway branch,” he said while speaking to P Live.

ALSO READ: Revealed:Kenyan banks with the most expensive loans

He also allayed fears of any staff redundancy adding that their workers would only be shifted from the affected branches to the new branch locations.

“There will be no staff redundancy at all as the same teller who served, say 10 customers, is the same one who will be serving the same number of customers in the new branches,” stated Mr. Wokabi.

The affected branches have been served with a 3-month notice as the relocation process will go on effective 1 October 2017.

The bank also stated that it would get in touch with its customers who have accounts in the bank in order to redirect them to the lender’s alternative service points.

david nganga