A Suffolk MP has spoken of his "disappointment" that banks are closing High Street branches and the "importance" of in-person services, especially for older residents.
Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Dr Dan Poulter has no longer has any bank branches in his parliamentary constituency, according to Which?
Framlingham, which is in the constituency, saw its last branch close in August when Barclays shut in Market Hill.
Most recently, Barclays closed its Woodbridge branch, prompting an application by the town council to cash machine network LINK for a review of the community's access to banking facilities with a view to setting up a Cash Access UK Banking Hub.
READ MORE: Woodbridge banking hub proposal is refused by LINK
The hubs offer easy access to face-to-face cash and banking services across the UK.
However, last week this newspaper revealed that LINK had refused the application, saying that the community had 'a suitable level of access to cash provision' as a branch of Lloyds Bank remained open in the town.
Woodbridge town councillor Robin Sanders, who had called for the review, described the decision to refuse as a 'pity'.
READ MORE: 'Keep local Suffolk bank services' Citizens Advice says
And Dr Poulter has echoed Mr Sanders' sentiments and expressed particular concern for older residents who may not be able to use online banking.
He said: “In-person banking services can be important for older residents who may not feel comfortable using the internet or telephone banking.
READ MORE: Suffolk Libraries to offer more drop-ins for bank customers
“So it is disappointing, but perhaps understandable, that with less than one in 20 bank customers actually attending a bank branch in person each week, so many banks are closing their high street branches and offering in-person banking services through banking hubs such as local post offices instead.
“Many customers in central Suffolk and north Ipswich will use banks close to where they live in towns including Ipswich, Stowmarket, Diss or Woodbridge for in-person services, but we are also fortunate that many local post offices offer access to traditional high street banking services to people living in the area.”
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