RBS customers will miss their branches

SIR – RBS plans to axe a further 162 branches and 792 jobs, five months after its decision to shut a quarter of its 1,003 branches (Business, May 2), including my account branch in Cobham, Surrey.

Reportedly, RBS has stated that all the closing branches “were within 2.5 miles of the nearest RBS or Natwest branch”. My alternative branches in Dorking, Leatherhead, Guildford and Weybridge are all at least three times that distance away, in the 13th most densely populated county in the country.

The bank’s statement that customers of RBS in England and Wales would be able to use Natwest branches is also questionable, because the RBS and Natwest IT systems have never been integrated. It is certainly not possible to use an RBS branch in Scotland to conduct Natwest business. Paul Ives

East Horsley, Surrey SIR – The Post Office is here to serve customers of all Britain’s high street banks, not just those of TSB (“TSB’S Post Office advice angers customers”, report, May 2).

The Post Office has been changing. We have modernised more than 7,500 branches and many are now open for longer – earlier in the morning, later at night. More than 4,000 branches now offer services seven days a week.

With bank branches closing, we know that many – including small businesses – rely on us for their everyday banking.

We offer the largest fee-free cash withdrawal network – whether through our ATMS or over our counters. By providing these services, we are ensuring that we remain at the heart of communities across Britain. Martin Kearsley

Banking Services Director Post Office Limited London EC2