adminCharity Ruzvidzo Business Reporter
STANDARD Chartered Bank says it is collapsing five of its country branches and merging them with bigger ones in major cities due to decreasing branch transactions and the impact of digitalisation. The bank advised its clients in a notice that the merging of branches and transfer of customer accounts was effective April 1, 2015.
According to the notice, the Beitbridge branch will be incorporated into the Bulawayo branch, Mvurwi branch to Bindura branch in Mashonaland Central, the Rusape branch to Mutare branch in Manicaland, Mutoko into the Highlands branch in Harare with the Chivhu branch being merged with the Masvingo Branch.
The bank’s head of corporate affairs, Lillian Hapanyengwi, told Business Chronicle in response to written questions the bank was employing new measures to ensure feasible service delivery.
“As our clients and the world go digital and our branch transaction traffic is decreasing, we’re evaluating how we should reformat our current channels to deliver the best service to our clients,” she said.
“Like any global company with outlets, we review the foot fall and usage of our branches by clients and will review as a matter of course our branch network in order to design the best way to serve our clients.”
Hapanyengwi said the banking institution was dedicated to conducting business in the country.
“Standard Chartered has taken the conscious decision to continue to maintain our long-standing commitment to doing business in Zimbabwe. We remain committed to the long-term interests of our staff and customers in Zimbabwe, and to continuing to facilitate the development and growth of the economy,” she added. Standard Chartered is a multinational institution headquartered in London.
Bongani Moyo
Online Reporter