Graham has raised Lloyds Banking Group’s refusal to allow cheque deposits at Post Office branches, cash hubs and banking hubs in Parliament, warning that the decision is damaging vulnerable customers and elderly residents.
He is now coordinating a letter to the Chief Executive of Lloyds Banking Group and asking MPs from across the country to sign it.
Graham has also launched a petition calling on Lloyds to restore cheque deposit services at Post Office branches, cash hubs and banking hubs.
Residents can sign the petition here:
https://www.grahamstuart.com/LloydsCheque
Graham raised the issue in Parliament by praising the banking and cash hubs in Hornsea, Withernsea and Hedon as “fantastic” and saying they “really work well”, before warning that Lloyds is the only major bank that does not allow cheque deposits at Post Offices, cash hubs and banking hubs.
The petition follows Graham’s local banking services survey, which received 151 responses, including 149 from Beverley and Holderness.
The survey found that 96 respondents had used either the Withernsea Banking Hub or Hedon Cash Hub, showing that residents value and use the replacement services. But 23 respondents said they had been unable to withdraw cash locally, while 21 said they had been unable to deposit a cheque locally.
Lloyds was the most commonly named bank, with 81 respondents naming Lloyds as their bank or one of their banks.
Banking hubs in Hornsea, Withernsea and Hedon are working well and are valued by local residents. Cash Access UK, the Post Office and hub staff are all helping to keep local banking services available after the closure of high street bank branches.
But Lloyds is the only major British bank which does not allow customers to deposit cheques at Post Office branches and banking hubs.
Cheques are declining, but they have not disappeared. Older residents, disabled people, small businesses, charities and community groups still use them. These are often the very people who need face-to-face banking most.
Graham is asking residents to sign the petition and share it with friends and family so they can ask their own MP to back the campaign.
Graham said: “Banking hubs are fantastic. People in Hornsea, Withernsea and Hedon value them, and they are helping to keep local banking alive.
“But Lloyds needs to get its act together.
“Cash Access UK is doing its job. The Post Office is doing its job. The hub staff are doing their job. Other major banks are continuing to allow cheque deposits through Post Offices and banking hubs.
“Cheques are declining, but they have not disappeared. Older residents, disabled people, small businesses, charities and community groups still use them. They are often the very people who need face-to-face banking most.
“I raised this in Parliament because apps and other digital services do not always meet people’s needs, particularly those of elderly people.
“Lloyds closed the last banks in Hedon and Withernsea. Local people were told replacement services would be there for them. Lloyds should not now pull the rug out from under the customers who need those services most.
“I am coordinating a letter to the Chief Executive of Lloyds Banking Group and asking MPs from across the country to sign it.
“Please sign the petition and share it with friends and family so they can ask their own MP to back the campaign too.”
Cllr Sean McMaster, Councillor for South East Holderness, said: “Banking hubs are really important for communities like ours, and I know many residents value the service they provide.
“But they have to work properly for the people who need them most.
“In South East Holderness, a lot of older residents, disabled people, small businesses and community groups still rely on face-to-face banking and cheque services. They should not be forced to travel miles or struggle with an app just to do basic banking.
“Graham is right to gather the evidence, launch this petition and take the case directly to Lloyds. Cash Access UK, the Post Office and the hub staff are doing their bit. Lloyds now needs to do the same.”
