The Campaign for Community Banking Services (CCBS) calls on the government to act to protect the communities at risk from losing access to banking if the 1800 branch closures predicted for the next 5 years goes ahead.

CCBS would like the government to work with LINK and the banking industry to establish a network of shared branches to be set up in at-risk communities, those with two banks or less, as the Banking Code Review published on Thursday 11th November 2004 failed to adequately address the issue.

Derek French, Director of the Campaign for Community Banking Services said:

“The government is passing the buck. They rely on the Banking Code Review which is sponsored by the industry and, as the new review shows, looks after the industry’s interests. Banks are commercial organisations seeking to maximise profits. It is the government’s responsibility to facilitate a framework to ensure that all communities have access to banking services, particularly at a time when they are relying on the banking network to distribute pensions and benefits, often to the least mobile and most vulnerable of people.

“Not only are the government standing by as branches are closed, but they have also permitted the Post Office to introduce its own range of financial products, removing their brand neutrality and making the Post Office an unsuitable venue for the distribution of banking services. Access to banking services is necessary in our society and the government has a duty to ensure that these services are accessible. Shared branches are the only viable solution.”

The banks would pay for their customers to use the shared branches, the fee for which would be much less than that of running a branch. Once a shared branch has been established, the banks would be able to close those of their exclusive branded branches which are at risk, thereby saving them money whilst ensuring access to consumers.

Contact
Derek French
Hon Director
Tel : 01582 764760

www.communitybanking.org.uk