Letter: Time to take banking into own hands after HSBC closure notice
As we know HSBC, our local bank, is to close several branches situated in towns and villages across the country.
I applaud the many protests and petitions organised that are sadly to no avail, HSBC is not for changing. The closure programme arrived with no prior consultation with it's customers or it seems it branch staff – totally unbelievable?
In the Dee Valley area it seems that only one local bank branch is available between Bala and Wrexham, this being Barclays in Llangollen, an area with some 30,000 people.
The original idea of banking was developed by local people for the people, something our bankers have forgotten?
The claim stated for the closures is the increase in online and telephone banking, this a rich statement to assume that everyone wishes to use these methods, not everyone has a computer, it some areas broadband is difficult to access and as for mobile phones with many dead areas I am often unable to send text messages.
The banks already create heavy charges to customers for their services, further expense will be experienced in time and travel to the distant branch. For the many in this area the HSBC branch in Wrexham can be difficult to access, even more difficult if you only use public transport.
Following the closure notice we see HSBC spending large sums on sponsorship of the Dubai Golf Championship.
The only positive way forward is to set up a new bank, the last several days I have made contact with several people and organisations who are keen to support such an idea.
In the last four years the present government has made it much easier to set up a new bank, already it seems over 10 have been formed such as the Hampden Bank in Edinburgh that is very successful I have had an interesting discussion with personnel of this bank who are most willing to meet and pass on their experience.
Furthermore I have discussed the idea with the Financial Conduct Authority who together with the Prudential Registration Authority are the organisations who provide the necessary licences for setting up a new bank, they have launched the New Bank Set-up Unit.
From the research to date all this is possible but needs the interest and support to move forward, I have no banking background but welcome a response.
Please note message on teletext 29/01/16:- HSBC successfully defended an attack on its online banking system but services are disrupted on a key day for many peoples personal finances. The bank is apologising to customers trying to log to its online banking system which for many is unavailable.
Ray Hughes, Wrexham
Send us your letters for publication:
Email us at starmail@shropshirestar.co.uk or write to: Readers' Letters, Shropshire Star, Ketley, Telford, TF1 5HU. Letters MUST include the writer's name, address and telephone number. Letters will only be published anonymously in exceptional circumstances. The editor reserves the right to condense or amend letters.
