Jane Dodds has asked the Welsh Government what it is doing to retain banking facilities in local towns.

The Mid and West Wales MS said at the Senedd that while many people have moved to internet banking, there are others who still value having a physical bank in their town.

She said: “Lloyds Bank posted profits in this quarter of £1.3 billion, and yet they are abandoning the residents of Powys. As from March next year, there will be no Lloyds Bank left in Powys.

“They are moving out of Brecon, they have moved out of Ystradgynlais, one of the largest towns in Powys, and are just abandoning residents - particularly older people and people who reply on cash such as our farmers.

“One of the success stories has been the Welshpool banking hub, which opened over a year ago.”

Ms Dodds asked First Minister, Eluned Morgan, what she is doing to promote banking hubs and community banks to ensure that town centres remain lively, that people who need to bank in person use them and to promote banking opportunities.

Ms Morgan said Ms Dodds was right about there having been a series of bank closures over a number of years now, and that that is an issue of concern - particularly in rural areas.

She said: “Older people struggle, but also small businesses. There are a lot of small businesses that like to use local facilities.

“You’re also right in pointing out that some of the banking hubs have been quite successful, and we would be encouraging more of those to be set up.

“The UK Government also has some ideas around this. We’re having conversations with them about whether there's anything they have that could be of interest to us in seeing if there’s something we could extend to Wales.”