Following the recent announcement that the Malpas branch of Lloyds Bank will close in August 2024, Aphra Brandreth joined local councillor Rachel Williams to meet with representatives from Lloyds to discuss concerns about the closure and to find out what facilities the bank are putting in place to support customers.
At the meeting Aphra raised concerns that some residents may not be easily able to get online or confident in using digital banking services. Lloyds will be holding specific open days in the summer at the branch where they will be offering one to one digital skills training. They have also teamed up with We Are Digital to help customers with little or no digital skills to grow comfortable online. Customers can call 0345 222 0333 to discuss free training sessions. Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.
Lloyds have also committed to providing a community banker who will be in Malpas one day per week after the branch closes. Cllr Williams is working with Lloyds to find the best possible central and widely accessible venue, and we will help to let people know once the bank confirms the venue and which week day the community banker will be in Malpas.
The services our Community Banker can provide include:
- Helping people access cash: ordering cheque books, debit cards, paying in slips and referring people to where they can withdraw and deposit money, such as the local Post Office
- Helping with account queries: this includes explaining transactions, making payments, cancelling direct debits, setting up or changing a standing order, changing an address, getting a statement posted out, ordering a replacement card and activating a credit card.
- Online support: explaining our We Are Digital service – which provides free training to get online, support with online banking registration and set-up and provide information on how to stay safe online.
- Supporting people in financial difficulty: provide details of a range of support, including money management advice. Where required, our team will refer customers to our Customer Financial Assistance team.
- Supporting with specialist queries: setting up mortgage appointments, putting customers in contact with specialist bereavement and Power of Attorney teams. Our branch team adopt this same approach today – referring customers to our telephone teams or a larger, nearby branch where our specialists are based.
Aphra will continue to wrk alongside Cllr Rachel Williams to keep residents informed about these changes and aware of the services that Lloyds will be providing in Malpas. If residents have got questions or concerns about the closure of the branch they can speak to the team at the branch, or share any questions or concerns directly with Aphra who can put them in touch with Lloyds to offer support.
