RBS’ DECISION TO CLOSE LOCAL BANKS ‘OUTRAGEOUS’

Reacting to RBS’s announcement that they will be closing 20 Nat West branches in Wales, including those in Treforest and Talbot Green, Mick Antoniw, Assembly Member for Pontypridd said:

“Nat West’s decision to close its branches in Talbot Green and Treforest will have a particular impact on parents with small children, older people and the disabled who will have to access the nearest branch in Pontypridd.  In addition, those who transferred their accounts from Lloyds and other banks who have closed over recent months will be bitterly disappointed and feel completely let down by the banking industry.”

“Whilst it’s undoubtedly the case that more people are using on-line banking facilities, local bank branches continue to be part of the lifeblood of our communities and I believe that there is a civic duty placed on the banking sector to provide a counter service to communities such as Talbot Green and Treforest.”

“It is outrageous that we can lose local banks with no consultation with local communities and I believe we have now reached the point where the UK Government must introduce appropriate regulations to ensure customers who choose to carry out their business in person at their local bank are able to do so.   I will be doing all I can to persuade Nat West to reverse these bad decisions.”

Mick has written to RBS to demand that they review their decision:

Text of letter:

 Ross McEwan,

Chief Executive, Royal Bank of Scotland

36 St Andrew Square,

Edinburgh,

EH2 2YB

 04 December 2017

 Dear Mr McEwan

 Closure of Nat West branches in Talbot Green and Treforest Trading Estate

 I am the elected Member of the National Assembly for Wales for Pontypridd and I write on behalf of many of my constituents in Talbot Green and Treforest who will be devastated by RBS’s decision to close these branches.

 Whilst most people accept that on-line banking is becoming increasingly popular, they also expect RBS and the other big banks to honour their civic duty to maintain a high street presence which provides a service to those customers who choose to transact their business face to face.  It is parents with small children, older people and the disabled who will be hardest hit by these closures, with these people having to travel to the nearest branch in Pontypridd.  In addition, those who transferred their accounts from other banks who have closed over recent months will be bitterly disappointed and feel completely let down by the banking industry.

 I am also disappointed that these decisions have been taken without consulting local people and Nat West customers.  To many people it appears that the banking industry has abandoned its customers completely.

 I would ask you to undertake a full consultation with local communities and Nat West customers before finalising your decision to close these branches.  In addition, I am available to meet with you or a member of your team to discuss how the closure of these branches may be avoided and to determine RBS’s future commitment to people in the Pontypridd constituency.

 Yours sincerely,

 Mick Antoniw

Assembly Member for Pontypridd