MP David Chadwick has condemned Santander’s decision to close its Brecon branch, accusing big banks of treating customers “disgracefully.”

Santander has announced that its Brecon branch will close on June 25, leaving NatWest as the town’s last remaining bank.

The closure was announced today, part of plans to close 95 of the bank's existing 444 UK branches.

Mr Chadwick, who recently secured a banking hub for Ystradgynlais, said current regulations meant Brecon would not qualify for one unless NatWest - the town’s last remaining bank - also shut.

Mr Chadwick, who represents Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, pointed out that Santander reported a £1.33 billion profit in 2024, arguing that financial constraints were not behind the closure.

“I’ve repeatedly challenged this Labour Government in Parliament to tighten the regulations on the level of services banks should be expected to provide their customers with, but the Government seems intent on pursuing the same policies of the previous Conservative Government and letting the big banks walk all over people,” he said.

MS for Mid & West Wales Jane Dodds echoed his concerns, saying rural communities had suffered repeated bank closures over the last 15 years.

“They continue to rake in these enormous profits, driven off the back of their customers, but refuse to provide basic services,” she said.

Ms Dodds added that the party would push Santander to retain its Brecon cash machine, which she described as “extremely well used.”