A BANK in Wrexham has been targeted for closure in a nationwide branch cull.

The town's RBS branch is set to close later this year as part of a restructuring programme which will mean 162 closures across England and Wales.

Unite, which represents the bank’s workforce, has said the closure plans have shocked staff who have been told the closures will affect nearly 1,000 employees across the country.

A union spokesman said: “Employees have finally been told of their dark futures because the bank has been calamitously managed for too long.

“As a result of these closuresm the overwhelming majority of customers will find themselves without access to full banking facilities

Of the national programme, he added: "Affected branches will close in two tranches, the first in July and August with the remainder closing in October and November.”

RBS blamed the changes in the way customers use banks for the closures.

A RBS spokesman said: “The way customers bank with us has changed radically over the last few years.

"Since 2014 branch transactions across England and Wales are down by 30 per cent.

"During this same period there has been a 53 per cent increase in the number of customers using mobile banking.

"We now provide our customers with more ways to bank with us than ever before, customers can choose from a range of digital, face-to-face and local options to suit their needs.”

Wrexham Labour MP Ian Lucas said he was extremely disappointed by news of the closures and was in contact with RBS.

He added: "Any closure of any retail facility causes me great concern because we want to keep as many retail facilities as we can in the town centre."

Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru’s North Wales AM, said: “The decision by the RBS to close three of its four branches in North Wales is just the latest in a long line of bank closures our communities have suffered.

"After years of encouraging customers to bank online they claim there is little footfall to justify these closures.

"The fact is that they’ve abandoned all pretence to be community banks, despite being bailed out by taxpayers.

"Customers – in particular small businesses that need to cash up at the end of the week – will rightly feel abandoned.

“It shows once again that Wales needs a community bank that serves local communities and small business rather than one driven by profiting shareholders.”

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