This Tuesday, the Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party asked the Minister of Finance, Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, about the reduction in services carried out by Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD) in many branches, most of them located in the regions and interior islands. In one of the questions they want to know “what is the position of the Government” in relation to the public bank strategy, which affects in particular the internal regions of the continent and the two autonomous regions.
As PÚBLICO reported in this Tuesday’s edition, the reduction in services implies that withdrawals and deposits will cease at about 40 branches, but could reach a hundred, requiring the exclusive use of automatic machines, except for them those who have and know how to use a debit card, commonly known as an ATM card.
The Workers’ Committee (CT) of CGD warns about the reduction of services in the institution led by Paulo Macedo, drawing attention to the “degradation of the public service”, that is, due to the closure of coffers in many of the funds. agencies, creating restrictions on populations, companies, municipalities and State services. “In other words, CGD intends to transform many branches into smaller spaces with fewer services and without adequate face-to-face service, which is particularly important in areas where elderly people live and people who are literate low financial and digital”, emphasized the parliamentary group in the letter sent to the Minister of Finance, which was accessed by PÚBLICO.
In the questions sent to the government official, “under the applicable legal and regulatory terms”, the subscribed deputies, including the parliamentary leader, Alexandra Leitão, want to know “what measures/efforts will be taken the Government or already taken by the Government to ensure. to protect the public interest and the needs of the population of the territories in question”. But also if the Minister for Finance is “aware of the situation reported by the CT” and if the government official or the Ministry of Finance was consulted or issued any opinion/opinion on the matter?
Bearing in mind that “CGD is one of the most relevant financial institutions in the national banking system, and that the Portuguese State is its sole shareholder”, the initiative of the parliamentary group, which includes deputies elected by constituencies within and autonomous regions, would like to, too. to know if “the local authorities who intend to close or reduce CGD’s banking services have been involved or heard”. Also highlighting the fact that CGD presented, in 2023, historic profits, worth 1291 million euros, to which 889 million euros were added, in the first half of 2024.
“If the closure or reduction of public banking services by CGD is confirmed in less populated regions, that is within Portugal or the Autonomous Regions, it will be a deterioration of the living conditions of the depopulated and aging population. territories, which do not contribute – but harm – to the territorial integration of the country”, say the deputies, adding that “this is, therefore, an issue that requires the attention of the Government, and the Ministry of Finance cannot take responsibility accept the situation, as we face the matter of public interest”.
PÚBLICO questioned the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Portugal about the impact of the changes underway at Caixa branches, but has not yet received an answer. The National Association of Municipalities also remains silent, despite the concern and anger of some mayors who are affected by the suppression of services, and many branches have only one employee to ensure that financial products and other services are sold, to support customers, and even manage the bottom. of automatic machines.