A few days ago Tarxien clients of the HSBC received a note from Mr Ray Briffa, Head of Branch Banking and Deputy Head of Personal Financial Services stating: Following careful consideration and after having reviewed customer usage, the growth of alternative methods of banking, and suitability of premises, we have come to a decision to close our branch at Tarxien as of 15 December 2010.

May I ask the Bank in particular whether it has taken in consideration the elderly local clients who have been faithful to the bank since its day of opening and who not only have no knowledge of Internet Banking but they are neither in a position to travel to another village? It is true that the ATM machine will remain at Tarxien but once again not every elderly person feels so confident to use it, especially nowadays when the elderly are so weak in front of aggressors. 

If such decision is final from the HSBC point of view, I appeal to our local council to take this matter in hand and if no solution is found tries to approach other banks who might be more interested in our elderly people’s welfare.

Alfred Massa

Tarxien