Fresh fears over Chirk HSBC closure
The failure of HSBC's online banking system has raised fresh concerns about the bank's decision to close its branch in a town on the Shropshire border.
HSBC announced last week that it will close its branch in Chirk – the last remaining bank in the town – on April 8.
But Mabon ap Gwynfor, the Plaid Cymru candidate for Clwyd South, said he was very concerned about what this could mean for customers.
Mr ap Gwynfor said: "The community served by this bank will be reeling from the news that HSBC is planning to close its branch there. This decision will undoubtedly have a detrimental effect on this community, especially local businesses, the elderly and those on low income.
"What's worse is that the bank cites increased online banking as one of their reasons for closing.
"However only this week John Hackett, chief operating officer of HSBC in the UK, had to issue an apology because of internet failures in their banking system."
He said he was especially concerned for older people as research he carried out last year revealed that one in six people in the Wrexham area had never been online – and that age is a factor.
"The contrast in terms of age is striking – in the first quarter of 2015 almost everyone aged 16 to 24 years were recent internet users, in contrast with just 33 per cent of those aged 75 years and over," he said.
"There is a clear digital divide in our society, with the elderly and disabled most likely to be excluded from the digital revolution. Many of those that rely on local bank branches are elderly and vulnerable, and they are the least likely to be online."
Jonathan Byrne, regional director of HSBC, said: "We will take steps to contact customers who may have problems accessing alternative banking facilities."
An online petition to keep the Chirk branch has already attracted hundreds of signatures.
Sign it at www.gopetition.com/petitions/keep-ruabon-hsbc-bank.html
