You back our campaign to stop banks killing cash
READERS are four-square behind The Mail on Sunday’s campaign to ensure access to cash remains a universal right, writes TOBY WALNE.
Jayne Bromley, a manager at Keele University in Staffordshire, is one of many who emailed their support. She says: ‘It is essential that all those who want to pay in notes and coins, rather than using contactless cards and the internet, should be allowed to do so. Banks are there to provide a service and giving customers access to their own money must be part of this.’
She adds: ‘When you close banks, building societies and post offices you take away something that is right at the heart of a community.’
The 65-year-old also believes small shops and traders should not be forced to go down the contactless payment and card payment route because of a lack of cash accessibility in their communities. ‘When it comes to using local shops such as grocers and convenience stores, it is important people can pay in cash. It means businesses do not have to pay the transaction fees associated with electronic payments that only profit the banks.’
Frances Latty, from East Bridgford in Nottinghamshire, has seen her local branches of Lloyds and NatWest close down in the past couple of years. The 74-year-old retired prison service administrator says: ‘Once banks have succeeded in making it impossible for us to access cash by closing branches and ATMs, they will be in control of the payments system, enabling them to dictate what they charge personal and business customers.’
She adds: ‘This is all about the banks making money and has nothing to do with serving the best interests of customers. As someone who used to work in computers, I am fully aware of how easily people can become victims of fraud. Using the pounds in my pocket and purse for shopping is far less risky.’