Co-op Bank to cut around 400 jobs in cost-cutting drive

THE Co-operative Bank said it plans to cut around one in 10 of its workforce, shedding approximately 400 jobs, in a bid to cut costs.

It is embarking on a consultation and restructure that will lead to a net reduction of 12 per cent of its roles.

The bank said: “We have announced a series of changes across the bank which are essential for the delivery of the next phase of the strategic plan.

“These include the commencement of a consultation on a proposed operating model restructure which is expected to result in a net reduction of approximately 400 roles (12 per cent) across the bank.

“The decision has not been made lightly and the bank will continue to work closely with our trade union and to support impacted colleagues.”

It comes around a month after the business reported its pre-tax profit nearly halved from £132.6m in 2022 to £71.4m the following year.

It put the drop down to one-off costs including nearly £29m which was set aside to cover redress to past mortgage customers. Staff costs also increased by a fifth during 2023.

The redundancies will be made across the business, including head office, operations and branch roles, but no branch closures are planned as a result.

Around 200 to 250 people are expected to leave the business, with people in other affected roles being able to apply for different jobs within the company.

The consultation period will end in early May and those affected will then serve their notice period.

The business said it had been trying to “simplify and transform” over the last three years, which it hopes can bring “long-term sustainable growth”.

It has put £100m into a new IT system, which is close to being completed.

“As the bank enters the next phase of its transformation plan it will seek to leverage the benefit of this investment and will be taking steps to ensure we have the right resource and processes in place to deliver our customer and commercial objectives,” the bank said.

“Accordingly, the bank has undertaken a review to identify opportunities to simplify processes, reduce our cost base and make efficiency improvements.”

Late last year the bank revealed it was in discussions with Coventry Building Society over a potential merger of the two.

Speaking last month, chief executive Nick Slape said: “2023 has been a year of transformation and I am extremely proud of what we have achieved.

“We are ever mindful of the financial challenges that the current economic climate poses for a number of customers and we will continue to support them where needed.”