Bank online? Let’s save local branches instead

When I read about the security flaw in banking apps (News, page 6, Issue 517), I instantly thought: ‘I told you so’. I’ve been predicting for years that banking online isn’t safe, and have resisted all temptation to do it.

My decision isn’t just about security concerns though. I live in a smallish town, and have seen too many bank branches turned into wine bars and coffee shops. My view may be old fashioned, but I prefer to have a bank on my doorstep rather than a glorified cafe selling overpriced coffees with names you can’t pronounce. Fortunately, my own branch has survived. Every time I go in I make a point of telling them that I do all my banking in person, not over the internet. I hope they pass this on to head office!

I have the same attitude towards my local Post Office, which has been under threat of closure for many years. Using some of their services may be quicker online, but I love catching up with the staff there. Websites don’t say ‘good morning’ to you, or wish you a merry Christmas.

Perhaps this fondness for ‘bricks and mortar’ marks me out as an atypical Computeractive reader. But I refuse to accept that just because something is new, it’s automatically better.

I don’t expect the younger generation to be swayed by my views, but there are enough of us ‘old fogeys’ to keep local banks and post offices in business. I would like to know what other readers think. Am I being unrealistic? Or is there a groundswell of feeling that things are changingngg too quickly? Len Bradshaw aw