Banking on a way to cure loneliness

From: Edward Grainger, Botany Way, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough. THE incessant race by the banks and building societies to leave our high streets is not unexpected.

The reasons for the closures have, in the part, been well rehearsed and documented in changing customer habits, with more and more customers choosing to bank digitally and via their mobile phones, hence a reduction of customers visiting branches in recent years.

What is so particularly blindingly obvious is the attempt to “pull the wool” over our eyes, especially on those of us who like to visit our own local branches.

For some, a conversation with a bank official can stave off the curse of loneliness that can be caused to an ever-increasing and huge number of people living alone. This has most often been forced on those left widowed through no fault of their own and who miss the company of their departed loved one.

The recent statement from a spokeswoman for Lloyds is particularly insensitive, with the assertion that “branches remain a key part of the service we offer to customers and we continue to make significant investment in revitalising our network shaping it to their needs”. A classic case of “humbug”.

From: Peter Hyde, Driffield.

I ONCE again read of an attack on an ATM and wonder why we do not have enough police cover in country areas.

Should this happen down South, there would have been an uproar and an increase in police patrols.

Country forces have been deprived of police protection in the cause of saving money. It is false economy as the cost to the public has increased at an equal level to the savings.

I was a rural bobby myself in the days when such people existed and had a call been received that an ATM was under attack, I, and my fellow local beat men, would have turned out in an attempt to foil the attack as we gave 24-hour cover even when off duty.

From: Andrew Mercer, Guiseley.

IT’S not just bank closures that need to be addressed as MP Caroline Flint recently highlighted in your columns – the loss of cashpoints, especially those where money and cash can be paid in, is proving to be just as troubling.