LOCAL politicians have spoken out about the closure of a Neath Port Talbot bank described as being the last in the Swansea Valley area.
It comes after the announced earlier this year that the Pontardawe branch of Lloyds Bank located on Herbert Street will close on November 20, 2025.
The closure means the nearest branch will be located over five miles away in Neath town centre – though Lloyds have said they will introduce a Community Banker Service in the town.
The issue was also raised in Parliament by MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, David Chadwick, who called on the chief executive of Lloyds Bank to stop the planned closure of the branch.
He said: “Lloyds claims it is closing branches due to lack of footfall. Yet in Pontardawe the queues regularly run out the door. That is not a lack of demand. It is a deliberate choice to walk away from loyal customers.”
He added: “The planned closure of the Lloyds branch in Pontardawe has sparked much local anger with more than 500 residents signing a petition asking for it to remain open.
“The closure would leave thousands of people in the Swansea Valley without access to in-person banking. These are people who have entrusted Lloyds with their life savings, who Lloyds have profited off for decades.
“The banks may have forgotten their customers in Wales, but I have not. That is why I am calling on Lloyds CEO, Charlie Nunn to reverse this decision and show some understanding of the harm these closures are causing.”
Sioned Williams MS for South Wales West also described the situation as “deeply disappointing” while councillor Heath Davies of Pontardawe said he hoped something could be done for it to remain open.
He said: “I think the Lloyds Bank in Pontardawe should remain open and by closing it they really aren’t thinking of the local community.
“It’s the last bank in the Swansea Valley and once it goes people will have to go to Neath or Swansea if they want to use a bank in person.
“It will be a big loss for people and businesses in the town and the surrounding areas, particularly the elderly or those who don’t use online banking.”
A report about the closure on Lloyds Bank website said: “Before we close any branch, we look at how our customers are managing their money and using the branch.
“Most customers are now using our mobile banking app, internet banking or calling us instead, which means they are using branches much less.”
In an access to cash review carried out by Link, they said they would not recommend the provision of any new cash access services in Pontardawe because there were already services and facilities within a one mile radius which are “suitable for the needs of the local area”.
