Post Office officials say they can provide most services that had been provided by banks that have closed their branches in Montgomeryshire.
A meeting between Post Office officials and a number of local politicians follows the closure of the last remaining bank in Llanidloes. Barclays closed its branch menthe town no loner has a high street bank.
Similar situations exit in other towns in the area, including Montgomery.
Montgomeryshire AM, Russell George, along with some members of Llanidloes Town Council, met with the Post Office officials to discuss the situation.
Mr George saidL “I was pleased that senior Post Office management agreed to come to Mid Wales to discuss the banking services which it can offer to fill the gap which has been left by the closure of bank branches across north Powys.
"We have seen high street bank branches close right across Montgomeryshire and I was pleased that Llanidloes Town Council were also involved in this positive meeting, at which the Post Office outlined the services which it provides.
"While I acknowledge that the Post Office is unable to offer all of the services which a bank provides, the Post Office offers more services than people realise from processing bill payments, ordering foreign currency and even dealing with personal and business banking transactions of virtually all banks.
"It's often unnecessary for people to travel many miles passed the nearest post office to the nearest bank and with convenient opening hours.
"Using the Post Office as a one stop shop could also make local Post Offices more sustainable and I was pleased that Post Office management committed to looking at what other services it may be able to provide in the future.
"They also agreed to look at concerns relating to confidentiality, queuing, staffing hours and signage especially when Post Office facilities are housed in convenience stores such as in the Spar in Llanidloes.
"I would also like to thank Llanidloes Town Council for taking part in this positive meeting and in taking a proactive approach in ensuring that local banking services are maintained and strengthened via the Post Office."
A statement from the Post Office after the meeting said: “Following recent changes in the high street bank branch network, it is a timely opportunity to remind local residents of the wide array of products and services, including personal and business banking, that are available from Llanidloes Post Office, located in the Spar store on Longbridge Street.
“The Post Office offers around 170 products and services, in broad areas such as handling letters and packages, processing bill payment, ordering foreign currency, managing Post Office financial and insurance services, accessing government services such as car tax renewal and Passport Check & Send, home phone and mobile top-up services, and through an agreement will all of the high street banks, dealing with personal and business banking transactions on behalf of the banks’ customers.
The Post Office banking offer means that Personal Account customers of virtually all banks can make cash withdrawals, check their balances and pay both cash and cheques into their account. Additionally, the banks’ Small Business Account customers can make business deposits and access change giving services. Whilst the Post Office isn’t able to become the town’s new bank manager it can provide a comprehensive range of transactional account services.”
Photo: Russell George AM (right) with Post Office and Blakemore staff in Llanidloes
