Jane Dodds is calling for banking hubs to be provided in towns and villages in Wales.
The Mid and West Wales MS told the Senedd that banking opportunities are a particular problem in rural areas.
Video from Senedd.tv
The Mid and West Wales MS told the Senedd that banking opportunities are a particular problem in rural areas.
Video from Senedd.tv
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00:00Pleased to request two statements if I may, one from you and one from the Finance Secretary.
00:05The first is on access to cash and the real need in towns across Wales, particularly in our rural areas where they don't have banks for banking hubs to be established.
00:16The community of Estragon Lys, who over two years have fought for a banking hub to be situated there, have finally got it.
00:26It's a real, meaningful access to cash for many parts of our community, people who are older, people with disabilities, particularly those with learning disabilities, who really need that access to cash and somebody to talk to.
00:40We need these developed across the whole of Wales.
00:43In Brecon, we only have one bank left, so I would urge you to consider how we can make this a real social justice issue for many members of our community who need that access to cash.
00:56For that first question, which has come up and already come up this afternoon in terms of the desperate, the closure, the ongoing closure of all our bank branches across Wales.
01:08And in fact, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy Energy and Planning and myself spoke at a really important meeting recently with all banks to talk about the issues of loss of banks and financial inclusion, key priority for Welsh Government.
01:26And not financial services reserved, but we have regular meetings with link, cash access, access, UK, the provision of ATMs also are diminishing.
01:39And also we had our credit unions represented and building society.
01:47So it's good to hear about the Astragunlis banking hub, because that's a shared banking space where different mainstream banks and their community bankers work on a rotating basis with each present on a one designated working day per week.
02:05Just nine open and further four, I think, not just Astragunlis, but initial stages are set up in Flint, Hollyhead and Monmouth.
02:18So again, that is important that we've raised this today, that you've raised this today and that we can again take this forward.
02:26And looking also at mobile banking bans, which NatWest Group and Lloyds Bank also offer, and Barclays as well.
02:36But I was very proud to open the first mobile credit union ban at Easter for Neathport Talbot.
02:49So not just Neathport Talbot, but a much wider area, but we launched it at Easter.
02:57On your second...