Postbank branch closures: Deutsche Bank should solve problems with online banking

Postbank branch closures: Deutsche Bank should solve problems with online banking

According to a report by www.sueddeutsche.de, the head of the Federal Association of Consumer Advice Centers, Ramona Pop, sharply criticized the planned branch reductions at Postbank. She described the planned closure of almost half of the branches as a “sheer mockery” for Postbank’s customers.

Deutsche Bank plans to close up to 250 of the current 550 Postbank branches within the next two years. This step comes after massive problems with the IT migration to Deutsche Bank, where Postbank and the construction finance provider DSL-Bank had considerable difficulties. Customers were temporarily unable to access their accounts and customer service was difficult to reach. Since the beginning of the year, the consumer advice centers have recorded around 1,700 complaints from Postbank and DSL Bank customers, which is almost three times as many complaints as in the entire previous year.

The planned branch closure could have negative consequences for consumers. The customers who remained loyal Postbank customers despite the problems must now expect further inconveniences due to the closure of branches. The negative consequences of the IT problems could also have a long-term impact on customers' trust in Deutsche Bank and its subsidiaries. This, in turn, could lead to a loss of customers and an overall poorer reputation in the market.

Deutsche Bank should solve the problems at Postbank quickly and compensate affected customers in an unbureaucratic manner in order to regain trust and minimize possible negative effects on the market.