Jersey bank closure and cash access views sought

Lloyds Bank said its Les Quennevais branch would close in December

People have been asked to share their views on banking and accessing cash in Jersey as part of a review.

The States of Jersey's Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel launched the review in June.

As part of it, the panel wanted to hear how the closure of Lloyds Bank's Les Quennevais branch in St Brelade on 13 December and the closure of other out-of-town banks over the years had impacted people's ability to access cash.

Anyone who wanted to share their views on branch closures or other banking issues has been asked to email or write to the panel before 20 September.

'Affecting the elderly'

The panel said it had heard from the Jersey Chamber of Commerce that businesses would face increased costs due to having to travel elsewhere to visit a bank to pay in money.

The Jersey Bankers Association has also been asked if it would like to discuss the closure of local bank branches as part of the review, the panel added.

Deputy Montfort Tadier, the panel's chair, said the branch's closure would have "clear ramifications" on people who wanted to access cash.

"We heard from the Chamber of Commerce about the costs, including travel time, to businesses paying in cash to their accounts, especially for those who are situated out of town," Mr Tadier said.

"The closure will also affect personal account holders too, including the elderly, who may not wish to travel into town to access banking services."