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| 13 December 2006 |
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Free ATMs : Rural Communities Lose Out Again |
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| Predictably the outcome of the Treasury and ATM Working Group deliberations announced today will largely benefit those urban communities with high deprivation rankings whilst the problems of the elderly and other vulnerable individuals in smaller communities, with further to travel, are likely to be by-passed in a scheme where siting decisions still prioritise market volumes, albeit at reduced levels in the identified deprived areas. It is noted that the target of 600 free machines includes offers already made by individual banks such as RBS/Natwest (300), HBOS (100) and HSBC (100). Derek French, Hon Director of the Campaign for Community Banking Services (CCBS), in welcoming the progress made by the Group, said:- “Rural communities are losing local bank branches at a pace but the new scheme, and initiatives by individual banks, appear targeted to appease government rather than compensate communities for branch closures.” Last year CCBS proposed to the major retail banks an industry wide co-ordinated scheme that would ensure free ATM accessibility in communities from which the banks had withdrawn all branch presence and need was proven. By closing local branches, and usually removing any free ATM at the same time, CCBS maintains that a ‘contract’ with the customer has been broken. The CCBS scheme would not have been restricted to areas of high deprivation for need is wider that that. Contact: : Derek French 01582 764760 Notes for Editors:
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