Lloyds help for customers as profits tumble
HALIFAX BANK has introduced a raft of measures to support customers hit by the coronavirus pandemic, including payment holidays for up to three months on mortgages, loans and credit cards.
Russell Galley, managing director at Halifax, said the measures “will provide some breathing space in these challenging times”.
The bank has also temporarily waived interest on the first £500 of arranged overdrafts and provided emergency access to savings in fixed-term accounts without charge.
Mr Galley said: “Being there for our customers when they need us is our continued focus, and I’m immensely proud of our colleagues’ unwavering commitment through this period of uncertainty from within our branches, our call centres and from home.
“We have been working hard to keep the majority of branches open to provide essential services, so that customers can continue to access cash, and ensuring that those who are vulnerable or in financial difficulty can speak to colleagues.”
The bank has also set up a dedicated telephone service to help customers aged over 70 and it has prioritised calls for NHS workers.
It has made it easier for cheques to be paid in via its mobile app by increasing the limit to £1,000 per cheque and £2,000 total per day, as well as increasing the contactless limit on debit and credit cards to £45.
He made the comments as Halifax’s parent company, Lloyds Banking Group, revealed a massive drop in profit after taking a major hit from deteriorating economic conditions in the first three months of the year. It said a £1.4bn impairment charge had hit profits. Pre-tax profit plunged 95 per cent to £74m, down from more than £1.6bn in the same three months of last year.
More than 6,000 staff work for Lloyds Banking Group in Calderdale including its corporate centres at Copley and Trinity Road, Halifax.
Being there for our customers when they need us is our continued focus,
ONLINE: Read more on this at www.halifaxcourier.co.uk