HSBC Bank Malta has today announced significant changes to its branch network that will see its branches in Mellieħa, San Ġwann, Żabbar and Żebbuġ close permanently following a temporary closure effected in March.

These closures follow eight other branches closed in October last year.

The Gżira and Rabat branches, which were temporarily closed due to the pandemic, will re-open, although no dates are as yet confirmed. These branches will join the Swieqi and Żurrieq branches in operating as tellerless.

Bank advisors will remain available in these branches to ensure customers continue to have access to the full range of products and services, HSBC said.

“By announcing these changes today, HSBC Malta wants to ensure that its customers remain informed about how its branch network will be operating in the near future,” it said in a press release.

Works on the bank’s new Qormi flagship branch are underway. It is anticipated to open early next year.

“The flagship branch will offer a significant improvement in flexibility for customers as it will be open until 19:00 during the week and from 08:30 to 12:30 on Saturdays.”

The new flagship branch will become HSBC’s largest branch in the country and will also offer customers over 20 onsite parking spaces, including two charging bays for electric vehicles.

“Branch banking is a critical part of HSBC’s service offering and the bank is also undertaking a wider review of branch opening hours, with a view to offering retail customers longer opening hours in certain key locations.”

“The Bank will continue to ensure customers have access to its branch network, contact centre, and a range of digital and remote banking channels,” it said.

Crawford Prentice, HSBC Malta’s Head of Wealth and Personal Banking, said: “The changes announced today bring certainty and clarity about our branch network, as well as outlining our future plans to offer our customers greater flexibility and an enhanced customer experience through extended opening hours in key locations of our branch network.”

Mr Prentice continued, “The flagship branch is the first of the HSBC Group’s ‘new look and feel’ branches to be opened. It will have full digital marketing capabilities and a new ‘explore and discovery’ area where colleagues can provide our customers support with our digital banking services.”

“This investment here in Malta, in our new flagship branch, will epitomise what HSBC stands for in terms of modern world-class banking and solidify our position as a leader in the financial services industry.”

The bank would like to advise its commercial customers that the Business Banking Centre in Qormi continues to be open from 08:00 to 16:00 from Monday to Friday.