The Campaign for Community Banking Services (CCBS) is delighted to welcome the decision of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group to re-open - after 5 years - the NatWest branch in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire for a trial period of 2 years. A first for a major bank.

Derek French, the Campaign's Hon Director said " Let us hope that this positive move by NatWest signals a more enlightened attitude by the banking industry towards communities blighted by bank branch closures."

Houghton Regis has been a 'cause celebre' of the Campaign since its formation in October 1997, six months after NatWest closed the last remaining bank branch in this 17000 population Bedfordshire town. CCBS has worked untiringly with the Town Council and traders to keep the situation in the media spotlight.

It is, however, a disappointment that the town will not immediately feature in the current British Bankers' Association "Shared Banking Services" pilot scheme as 60% of the respondents to the Town Council survey expressed a preference for a "shared branch" and only 34% for a NatWest only branch; 84% said they would use a "shared branch" open to all. It is the Campaign's belief that an "open to all" format would be more likely to sustain local banking in Houghton Regis and similar communities for a longer period.

Notes for Editors
1. The Big 4 banking groups alone have closed over 4000 branches since 1990.
2. CCBS is a pressure group acting for 27 national organisations concerned about bank branch closures. Details on website: http://home.btclick.com/ccbs/index.htm
3. CCBS's proposals for shared branches - Community Banks plc - was validated in March 2001 by Professor Barry Howcroft of Loughborough University's Banking Centre and found to be operationally and financially feasible.
4. NatWest closed its branch in Houghton Regis in February 1997, Barclays and HSBC having closed earlier.
5. In September 2000 RBS Group informed Town Council that it would suggest the inclusion of the Houghton Regis site if the BBA recommended a trial of shared branches.

CONTACT: DEREK FRENCH   DIRECTOR   01582 764760