Brecon Santander Closure Another Betrayal of Customers by Big Banks

Commenting Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe David Chadwick said:

“This is yet again another example of the big banks treating their customers disgracefully.

“Santander reported a profit of £1.33 billion in 2024, so it isn’t a case of not having enough money to keep bank branches open.

“I’ve repeatedly challenged this Labour Government in Parliament to tighten the regulations on the level of services banks should be expected to provide their customers with, but the Government seems intent on pursuing the same policies of the previous Conservative Government and letting the big banks walk all over people.

“While I’ve been successful in securing a banking hub for Ystradgynlais, Government regulations mean Brecon wouldn’t qualify until or if the very last bank has shut.”

Adding her comments Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd Member for Mid & West Wales Jane Dodds said:

“It’s appalling that big banks continue to treat their customers like this. We’ve seen it all over Mid Wales over the last 15 years.

“They continue to rake in these enormous profits, driven off the back of their customers, but refuse to provide basic services. We know in rural areas we have an elderly population and many businesses that primarily use cash, online banking just isn’t accessible to everyone.

“We will be contacting Santander to push for them to at the very least maintain the cash machine in the town which we know is extremely well used.”

ENDS