UK’s smallest city to lose last bank branch

Local MP, Stephen Crabb says he has taken the fight to save the city’s bank right to the top of Lloyds.

After an extensive consultation with local residents of the UK’s smallest city, through a local banking survey, the MP says he was able to gain an understanding of the impact that the bank closure would have on the community. Armed with evidence, he has written to Charlie Nunn, CEO of Lloyds Bank requesting that the mobile banking van is used in St Davids, as an alternative to the branch.

Not only set to lose the bank branch, the city will also be losing its only free to use ATM, which will be removed when the bank closes its doors. Crabb says he has been in negotiation with LINK to secure a new location for an ATM and a contract with a new provider is imminent – which looks likely to result in some positive news for the community.

Under the current offer, Lloyds have agreed to provide a Community Banker to help advise people on other forms of banking access, but are directing its customers to use the facilities of the nearby Post Office counter located in CKs Supermarket for paying in and withdrawing cash.

Lloyds bank have cited declining customer numbers using the branch which has resulted in the location not being sustainable.

Stephen Crabb MP commented, “From day one I have been in touch with Lloyds on behalf of the community, and with LINK, to talk through the situation in St Davids and look for options for local residents.”

“I received so many replies to my banking survey from residents in St Davids which demonstrates just how strongly people feel about this issue locally, and how important local banking services are for so many in the community.”

 “It was very helpful to hear local views on the impact of the closure of the Lloyds Bank branch in the city and the future options for residents. This has come in very useful in my ongoing discussions with both Lloyds and LINK, in particular on maintaining access to cash in St Davids.”

He added, “I have recently had a further meeting with LINK and I’m pleased to confirm that a site has been identified for the ATM and negotiations with an operator are progressing well – I am hopeful that this will be positive news for the community.”

In his letter to Charlie Nunn, CEO of Lloyds Bank, Stephen Crabb states that “Given that Lloyds Bank has the last branch in the community, this closure has raised significant concerns about the loss of important financial services in rural, isolated communities like St Davids, and represents the need for a fundamental shift in perspective for residents living there in terms of future accessibility and ability to meet their banking needs.”

It later states that “Based on the strong evidence received from the community, I would like to request whether the mobile van could be considered for use in St Davids – which would enable people to transition to a new way of banking.”

Stephen Crabb says he is awaiting a response to his letter from Lloyds Bank and plans on keeping the community informed of any updates.

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