Banking Services for Voluntary Bodies and Organisations

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Social Justice – in the Senedd at 2:04 pm on 22 September 2021.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Janet Finch-Saunders Janet Finch-Saunders Conservative 2:04, 22 September 2021

Minister, our charities, voluntary groups and church groups rely on small-bank-balance accounts, so it is disheartening to hear that from November, one high-street bank will be charging these small-scale organisations £60 annually just to keep the accounts open. I'm informed that they also will be introducing new charges for branch transactions, including a fee to pay in and withdraw cash, with 40p to deposit just a cheque. The concern is that other banks will follow suit either by implementing similar charges or removing local in-branch services altogether. In just the last week I've received reports that a group in my constituency is now having to keep their money in a safe, as increased bank account charges have become such a worry. Many treasurers of these cherished community groups and churches can be quite elderly, and they are now contemplating relinquishing these responsibilities because of the lack of face-to-face local services and increasingly complicated procedures. With this in mind, Minister, what more support can you provide to assist these small groups? Would you be prepared to use the Development Bank of Wales or, as Llyr Gruffydd has suggested as well, Banc Cambria, as a means through which small community groups can open and maintain bank accounts on a much easier basis? Thank you.