Jane Dodds has asked the Welsh Government what it is doing to ensure there is access to cash in rural communities, amid ongoing bank closures.

In the Senedd yesterday (Tuesday), the Mid & West Wales MS made mention of the upcoming closure of Brecon’s Lloyds Bank.

Earlier this month it was announced the Brecon branch will close for good on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.

“Lloyds Bank have announced a third closure in Brecon and Radnorshire,” Ms Dodds told the Senedd.

“They've closed one in Ystradgynlais, they're intending to close one in Presteigne, and another one in Brecon.

Ms Dodds then hit out at the profits of the bank.

“Lloyds Bank made a profit of £7.5 billion last year, up from £4.8 billion the year before,” she said.

“This is not a bank that is struggling.

“This is a bank that owes their communities banks that meet their needs.

“So, I'd like to ask the Welsh Government exactly what they're doing in order to ensure that there is access to cash within our rural communities.”

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt said that 376 bank branches have closed in Wales since January 2015.

Ms Hutt says the Welsh Government has been “championing the specific needs of Welsh communities” - looking at both accessing cash and face-to-face banking services.

Ms Hutt continued: “We have banking hub roll-outs, and I'm pleased that the UK Government has said that they want to see a network of banking hubs expanded, but also, looking at our relationships with the Financial Conduct Authority, Link and Cash Access UK, they're championing the needs of sections of the population who rely most on accessing cash and face-to-face banking services.

“But also, we are working with many of our banking partners in Wales, for example—those who are responsible lenders, not just our credit unions, which, of course, are across Wales, but also those responsible lenders like the Principality Building Society, who are trialling OneBanx. We've also done all our work on the community bank as well.”