World’s local bank is pulling out of resort in September.

THE HSBC bank in Seaton is to close.

The branch is set for closure on September 30 and a former employee of the bank has expressed her disgust.

Julie Golsing said: “Having worked in the past for HSBC for seven years I always considered them to be one of the most customer-orientated banks. This opinion changed when I received, alongside numerous other Seaton branch customers, the news that we are to lose the local customer service from the end of September.

“With yet another bank closure in the town, this is a real kick in the teeth for Seaton. We have been given the news that our accounts are now to be managed from Sidmouth. How is that going to help us locally?.”

Ms Gosling also questioned the impact it would have on those who rely on local services and people without their own transport.

She added: “HSBC the world’s local bank - I think not.”

Two members of staff will be transferred to other local branches.

A spokesman for HSBC said: “Our branch network is a very important part of our distribution channel and we are investing over �100 million each year on updating and improving it. As part of this we have opened an additional 170 of our existing branches for longer hours on a Saturday to meet customer demand.

“We need to ensure that our branches are in the right locations for our customers and on occasions this means that we need to close some branches where customer footfall has fallen dramatically or there has been a shift in customer shopping patterns.

“Our branch in Seaton is a case in point. Customer usage of the branch has fallen significantly over the past few years and it is now one of the most under used branches in the country.”

He added: “Customers’ habits are changing - they are now increasingly using branches where they work, or they are using the 24 hour convenience of internet or telephone banking.

“Closing a branch is never an easy decision.”