NATWEST’S decision to axe branches in Lampeter and Cardigan has sparked outrage.

The bank revealed plans last week to close its Cardigan branch on 30 May with Lampeter to follow on 12 June.

AM Elin Jones and MP Ben Lake have called on the bank to reconsider.

Plaid Cymru have also urged the Welsh Government to make swift progress in establishing a public bank in Wales so that a system of community banks can be established.

Mr Lake, who has asked the chief executive of NatWest for a meeting to discuss the way in which the banks are “abandoning” rural communities in Ceredigion, said: “I am deeply disappointed at NatWest’s decision to close its branches in Cardigan and Lampeter. It’s a significant blow not only to both rural towns, but to members of staff, their families, and the bank’s customers.

"In this time of austerity communities across the county are losing banking services at a frightful pace: this most recent announcement follows the closure of other banks in Aberaeron, and towns such as Llandysul and Tregaron no longer have any bank branches at all.

"These commercial banks are abandoning rural communities across Ceredigion; less than a decade after taxpayers bailed them out at the height of the financial crisis, they are now threatening to undermine the financial underpinning of the local economy.”

Lampeter mayor Cllr Hag Harris described bank closures as “the scourge” of rural areas.

And Cllr Elaine Evans described the impending loss of the Cardigan branch as “a real blow” to the town.

Defending their “difficult” decision, NatWest maintained people’s banking habits had changed.

See this week’s South Ceredigion paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now