Banking giant Santander is being urged to drop its threat to pull out of five North Wales towns, putting 21 jobs at risk.
North Wales AM Antoinette Sandbach is writing to the company’s top bosses, and has raised the issue in the National Assembly.
She has accused the Spanish-owned bank – one of the largest in the world – of abandoning small rural North Wales communities and instead putting international profits before customers. The company has blamed red tape and a drop in profits for its decision.
The bank is planning to axe its links with Llanrwst, Pwllheli, Abergele, Ruthin and Gresford by closing its counters in summer. They are run under an agency agreement by 75point3 Chartered Financial Planners, which has now warned staff their jobs are at risk.
“This is a real stab in the back for their customers and shows they have a lack of loyalty of the people of Wales,” said Ms Sandbach AM. “I was shocked when I heard about this decision and I will make every effort I can to save these services.
“In such communities, local is best, as many people like to be able to call into a branch to do their banking. And in rural areas, being able to talk to staff in Welsh about financial and other matters is vitally important.
“It’s another blow for our high streets as well – this will have impact on shops in these towns as people have one less reason to stop off and do their shopping.
“Santander has extracted the cash out of rural communities and now doesn’t want to provide a counter service.
“The argument given is regulation and profit – but regulation should part of their normal activity as a bank and profit in a bank is meant to be long term.”
Ms Sandbach will also be working with 75point3 Chartered Financial Planners over Santander’s decision to withdraw its services.
