Postbank closes main branch in Neubrandenburg: What now for customers?

Postbank closes main branch in Neubrandenburg: What now for customers?

There are signs of change in Neubrandenburg: Postbank will close its branch in the Marktplatz Center in 2026. An exact date for the closure has not yet been set. With the closure, Postbank will completely withdraw from the location, including all self-service devices. Unfortunately, there are currently no known plans for replacement locations in the city, as nordkurier.de reports. This could be a challenge for many customers.

However, Deutsche Post has already taken precautions and plans to set up a partner branch nearby to continue offering postal and parcel services. While the current post office branch in the “Einklang Kulturshop” will remain, Postbank customers will be provided with extensive information in advance. Notices and flyers are flying around the market, and additional personal letters are being sent directly to affected customers.

Growing wave of closures at Postbank

However, Neubrandenburg is not the only area that Postbank is taking a closer look at. The bank plans to close 230 of its 550 branches nationwide by 2027. 97 branches are already on the hit list, while another 123 are to follow. In larger cities such as Berlin, Düsseldorf and Hamburg, several branches are affected, but rural communities do not escape unscathed either. An example: In Grevenbroich and Solingen, customers now have to travel at least 10 kilometers to the nearest branch, as stated in a report focus.de is confirmed.

The closures cast a shadow over around 1,000 jobs, representing a noticeable loss for the regional economy. Critical voices from consumer advice centers are also increasing, describing the mass expansion of branches as “sheer mockery” for customers. Especially in rural areas, postal banks are often the only bank that covers the needs of local people.

Alternatives and outlooks

Postbank is already planning to combine the reduction with a new concept. After withdrawing from many branches, around 200 of the remaining 320 locations will continue to offer postal and parcel services. For customers who still rely on cash, the cash supply in Neubrandenburg is guaranteed through various alternative methods. Customers can also withdraw money from retailers using the cashback cash service and take advantage of the cash code system, which allows them to withdraw up to €1,000 at over 12,500 locations.

The financial changes and restructuring within Postbank did not go smoothly. Last year there were extensive IT breakdowns during the migration to Deutsche Bank's systems, which made it difficult for many customers to access their accounts. These difficulties were criticized by BaFin, which has now appointed a special representative to monitor the solutions to the problem tagesschau.de is reported.

Given these upheavals, Postbank customers may consider reassessing their banking relationships and potentially consider a different bank, especially if the nearest ATM or branch is now just a memory.