Hang Seng Bank plans to further expand its branch network in Hong Kong this year in an effort to gain more customers.
The bank added three new branches and eight new Prestige Banking centres in the New Territories and areas near the MTR to capture mainland tourists as clients.
“We will continue this strategy of opening more new branches and upgrading the existing branch network,” chief executive Rose Lee Wai-mun said at a post-results briefing on Tuesday.
“Our study found customers still have a strong demand for branch services. Although half of our three million customers use internet banking, this does not mean the internet can replace branch services,” she said.
“Many customers like to talk to our staff with a nice cup of coffee to discuss their loans or investments. We will need to accommodate their needs.”
The bank has 220 outlets, including 100 branches with staff to serve clients. The rest have automatic banking machines but no staff.
The branch-oriented strategy is hindered by high rents and the difficulty of finding good locations.