BANK SHUTS THREE SITES
BANK ACCUSED OF PUTTING SHAREHOLDERS FIRST BY ‘ABANDONING’ CUSTOMERS
NATWEST bank is to shut three of its Anglesey branches in a move slammed as a “mass closure programme” to line the pockets of shareholders.
The banking giant has announced a cull of branches from May next year, with bosses saying it’s due to a fall in transactions.
But the move to shut those in Holyhead, Menai Bridge and Amlwch has been slammed, with Anglesey MP Albert Owen describing it as an “appalling situation”.
He added: “It’s a phased and planned process of withdrawing from the local communities that rely so heavily on their vital services.
“Branch closures are planned and done by stealth – first they encourage their customers to do their banking online, reduce the hours they’re open, and then produce figures that supposedly justify abandoning local branches.
“It’s simply not good enough. NatWest has not listened to its customers’ concerns.
“This is a mass closure programme, pure and simple, with the sole aim of reducing services and overheads and increasing the profitability for the shareholders.”
Rhun ap Iorwerth AM, added that he will be seeking an urgent meeting with NatWest bosses.
“I’m angry, and I feel the people of Anglesey are being let down – by NatWest and the wider banking sector.
“Banks have been ripped out of our towns at an astounding rate which shows no regard for the people who have helped banks make huge profits.
He added: “The HSBC decision to close its Amlwch branch was the other recent blow. Beaumaris recently lost the last of its banks following successive closures, and now Menai Bridge is to face the same fate.
“I also feel for the dedicated staff who’ve worked hard offering excellent banking services.”
NatWest said: “The way people choose to bank with us has changed radically over the last few years. Between 2010 and 2015, mobile and online transactions have increased by over 400% and mobile transactions alone have increased by 1,350%.
“As a result of this change, we have seen the number of transactions in these branches decline since 2011. We are communicating with our customers affected by these closures and proactively contacting vulnerable and regular branch customers.”