CHANGE IN UK BANK BRANCH NETWORKS - A CUSTOMER PERSPECTIVE

Branch networks evolved to attract relatively cheap retail deposits th rough the convenience of branch locations and branch-based payment sys tems. Traditionally, they provided a highly effective mechanism for ad ministering, collecting and delivering cash and helped to promote an e xtensive range of associated lending and ancillary services. However, the importance of branch networks is only tenable provided that the co nditions which determined their historical position continue to apply. The most important of these conditions are that the market continues to respond to it and that it will remain the basis for existing and em erging patterns of competitive behaviour. With this consideration in m ind and against a background of unprecedented change in the financial services markets, the article attempts to assess the future validity o f branch networks by obtaining the opinions of customers on a range of important issues currently confronting banking institutions with comp rehensive branch networks.