(ANSA) - Rome, April 21 - Italy's banks are set to slash the
number of cash desks where customers can carry out their
financial operations over the coming years, analysis of
industrial plans in the sector suggest.
The analysis suggests that around 1,500 cash desks are set
for the chop, which in many cases will lead to whole branches
being shut down.
Experts say the change is driven by the need to reduce
personnel costs, as Italy's banks have been badly hit by the
economic crisis, and by customers' increasing use of online
banking rather than using their branches.
Bank of Italy data shows that 800 cash desks have already
been closed at 600 lenders since 2007, taking the number down
from 32,800 to 31,900.
Italy banks set to slash cash desks
Change driven by need to reduce costs, customer demands