Aberconwy Assembly Member, Janet Finch-Saunders, has spoken out against the announcement that the Conwy Town Centre branch of NatWest is to close in July next year.
Janet said:
“I am disappointed and angry at the announcement by NatWest which will see the closure of the last bank in Conwy. This will be a massive blow to the town, especially our many independent retailers who will now be incredibly concerned about how they will manage their cash and banking needs each day.
“It is simply not right that Conwy should be left without a bank, and I will be writing to appeal this in the strongest terms.
“It is about time that banks realised that this is not how their customers should be treated – certainly banking groups should not be moving out of the communities that have built them up over the years.
“Access to banking is essential for people, businesses and tourists, and it is vital to have a high street banking presence in a town like Conwy to keep the local economy thriving.
“With the demographic of Conwy, this decision will affect many of our older residents also. It simply isn’t good enough and I would call on everyone to oppose this backwards step.”
ENDS
Notes:
Photos - Conwy Town; Janet's father - Jack Finch as a Councillor, with Natwest's former local director, Mr John L Davies
The Campaign for Community Banking Services [link to contact details] hold details of bank branch closures, and state that since 2011 there have been 108 bank closures in Wales (47 HSBC, 43 NatWest and 18 Barclays).
Just last year, it was highlighted that 28 towns and villages in Wales are without banks, and between April 2015 – April 2016, Wales saw over 1.5 bank closures per 100,000 residents – among the highest rate in the UK.
- Banks and the Post Office would co-operate in its establishment to maintain an over-the-counter service in rural Wales, housed in ‘neutral’ branches.
- The Financial Conduct Authority and Competition & Markets Authority would be urged work with banks on improvements to inter-bank agency agreements.
- The Welsh Government would play a key role facilitating discussions and driving progress forward.