Accusing bank of ignoring Welsh-speaking communities

Cymdeithas yr Iaith has accused the NatWest Bank of ignoring Welsh-speaking communities following their decision, announced today, to close a number of branches in Carmarthenshire and Dyffryn Teifi - including Llandysul, Llanybydder and Hendy Gwyn (Whitland). The information was conveyed to customers in an English-only circular letter from Huw Thomas, the "Local CEO" of the NatWest, who urged customers to turn to the bank's English-language online banking services or to the Post Office.

Dyfed Field Officer for Cymdeithas Bethan Williams commented "It is disgraceful that a bank which is in public ownership should show such disregard in ignoring the Welsh language and Welsh-speaking communities. Vital jobs will be lost and customers will also lose this Welsh-language service provided by the banks in their communities, the alternative online banking being available in English only. It is disingenuous to suggest that local Post Offices can offer a full range of banking services - especially as their new private masters are trying also to close them or stuff them into the far ends of supermarkets. The NatWest claim that far fewer customers are using local branches, but they have created this situation by opening them for two days a week only thus forcing customers to look for alternatives.”

Next Steps

Cymdeithas yr Iaith have contacted Carwyn Jones to ask him what he intends to do regarding the closure of NatWest branches in the Dyffryn Teifi area.

“Carwyn Jones announced in June that there would be further funding for a pilot project to improve the way businesses provide Welsh-medium services in Dyffryn Teifi through business support surgeries for small and medium businesses.

“We have asked him whether these were empty words, or will he put pressure on the bank not to close its branches in the Dyffryn Teifi area.”

Ms Williams added "A number of our members have indicated that they wish to propose a motion to our AGM next month to start a campaign to build pressure on the NatWest and to call on politicians to intervene to force this publicly-owned and publicly-rescued bank to respect the Welsh language and communities."