Nationwide staff told they face redundancies weeks before Christmas

News of the cuts comes days after Nationwide boss Debbie Crosbie told staff to return to the office two days a week. Photo: Terry Murden/Alami Stock Photo

Debbie Crosbie, chief executive, who received up to £3.4m in salary and bonuses last year, has streamlined her key strategy, including cutting office space.

< p>A Nationwide spokesman said: “We are streamlining some of our head office teams and expect around 200 people to leave the community. This will allow us to increase our investment in the value and service we provide to our customers.

“Colleagues who work with clients will not be affected by this. We are working hard to minimize the number of colleagues affected and are providing the necessary support to those affected.»

Metro Bank last week unveiled plans to cut around 850 jobs, while Barclays is mulling the idea. plans to cut its workforce by up to 2,000.

Lloyds Bank also plans to review around 2,800 roles, which will result in some job losses.

The redundancy program comes after Nationwide abandoned its “work from anywhere” policy, requiring staff to return to the office at least twice a week. The lender tried to change its policy in August last year, encouraging staff to spend 20 to 40 per cent of their time in the office.

The shake-up reversed a policy launched under former chief executive Joe Garner that allowed staff to work anywhere in the UK . NGSU supported the move.

Nationwide has tried to portray a softer image with advertisements featuring actor Dominic West bemoaning the closures.

The organization has pledged not to leave any city until for now at least by 2026.