HSBC Bank Malta plc announced it will have longer and standard opening hours all year round, winter and summer, at all its branches with effect from Monday 24 January 2005.

Branches offering full services will be open to HSBC customers from 8.30am and close at 1.30pm from Monday to Thursday, with a full-day service on Fridays to 4.30pm and a half-day service to 12.30pm on Saturdays.

In addition, HSBC’s flagship district branches at Valletta Merchant Street, Sliema High Street, Paola, Balzan, Mosta and Victoria in Gozo will offer an evening service from 4pm till 7pm, everyday from Monday to Friday.

“All our customers will benefit from having a simple, more easily understood and constant service across our branch network with longer hours to do business at any branch,” said HSBC’s chief executive officer Shaun Wallis.

“The previous opening hours were confusing and a legacy of history, and unrelated to the modern needs of the majority of our customers.”

“This new branch opening service is possible because of the healthy and positive attitude of all parties in reaching a new collective agreement with the interest of all stakeholders in mind and in particular, the customer.”

“The changes will also result in a decrease of 35 minutes per week in overall staff working hours which is welcome. This has been partly possible by improved back office processes and increased automation,” concluded Mr Wallis.

HSBC’s agencies, which offer limited services, will also observe the new opening hours while retaining the current opening days.

Further details on HSBC’s new branch opening hours are available by calling HSBC’s Customer Service on 2380 2380.