Campaign to save Bank Branches comes to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council

A campaign to save bank branches from closures is coming to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.

Hinckley Liberal Democrat Councillor Michael Mullaney is putting forward a motion calling upon the government to give more powers to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to prevent large banks closing branches without adequate alternatives. It will be debated at the meeting on Tuesday 30th November.

Michael Mullaney said "Here in Hinckley we have recently seen the loss of both the Santander and Hinckley bank branches. These are important local facilities to lose and we don't want to see anymore close.

"It's vital the government acts to prevent further bank closures in towns like Hinckley. That's why my motion is calling on the Chancellor of the Exchequor Rishi Sunak to give more powers to the FCA to prevent further large scale bank branch closures.

"I hope all Councillors here in Hinckley and Bosworth will support the motion and that the Chancellor and Conservative government will listen and take action to prevent further bank branches closing in towns like Hinckley and across the country"

Ann Pendlebury (Lib Dem Hinckley Clarendon) who is seconding the motion said "These bank branch closures are hitting some of the most vulnerable in our society. Many residents, particularly some older people prefer to bank in person and not online. Closing these branches forces many people to have to travel out of town to visit bank branches or be excluded from visiting banks at all.

"The banks are huge corporations and should show some social responsibility by keeping branches in towns like Hinckley open for those residents who still need to bank in person. I hope the Borough Council will back this campaign and the government will listen and give teeth to the FCA to stop banks just closing still needed branches."