CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Bank of America Corp. plans to close call centers in Wichita, Kan., and Charlotte in August, in part because the increased use of online banking services has reduced call volumes, a spokeswoman said Friday.
The closings will eliminate 575 jobs in Wichita, where the company operates a commercial and consumer banking call center. Another 70 positions will be cut in Charlotte, where a consumer call center will shut, according to Diane Wagner, a Bank of America spokeswoman.
"There's been a major decrease in call volumes as customers' preferences change," Ms. Wagner said. "They've gone to a lot of online usage."
Employees who are laid off will be given help finding other jobs within or outside the company, and those still unable to find work would receive severance packages, she said.
Another 225 people in Wichita who answer telephones for the company's retirement and investment business will not be affected by the layoffs.
