Nationwide has promised to protect branches in cities and towns across the UK for at least an extra year as part of efforts to help households amid the cost-of-living crisis.
The Swindon-headquartered building society said the pledge means it will not leave any town or city in which it is based without a branch until at least 2024.
The organisation has 625 branches across the country and had originally set the pledge until at least 2023.
The move comes as part of a push to support customers during the cost crunch and ensure they have access to the lender’s network of advisers for help on finance or advice if they are struggling.
It is also providing extra training for staff in branches to allow them to offer support over the phone, online and digitally, as well as in person.
Nationwide’s new chief executive Debbie Crosbie – who starts in post on Monday (June 6) – said helping customers in the current crisis was her “immediate priority”.
She said: “By extending the branch promise, members who face financial difficulties can discuss the practical support we offer in person with specially trained colleagues. This is the first in a number of initiatives that Nationwide will launch for members in the months ahead.”
Ms Crosbie was appointed at the end of 2021 and is the first women Nationwide has hired to it's top post for the first time in its 137-year history. She has taken over from former boss Joe Garner.
Scotland-born Ms Crosbie was formerly at TSB, which credited her with leading its “successful turnaround”.
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