FIVE politicians have requested to meet Lloyds officials to discuss the recent closure of the St Brelade branch and to urge the bank to “maintain a presence” in the west of the Island.
Deputy Jonathan Renouf – who wrote the letter also signed by Deputies Helen Miles, Moz Scott, Montfort Tadier and parish Constable Mike Jackson – said the group would be seeking a commitment from Lloyds and that any presence “could involve other banks as well”.
The closure of the Red Houses branch on 13 December, announced earlier this month, means that HSBC in Les Quennevais is the only bank branch outside town, with none to serve parishioners in the north or east of the Island.
Lloyds blamed a fall in customer transactions of almost a third between 2018 and 2023 and said customers could use its Broad Street branch and continue to bank with them using online, mobile and telephone banking.
It further said it was contacting customers to let them know about the “alternate local banking services available”.
However, Age Concern said the decision would hit those with mobility problems hard and accused the bank of putting the interests of its shareholders and management ahead of those of its customers.
Deputy Renouf in particular called the decision “very disappointing news”, describing the bank’s explanation as “bland”, while parish Constable Mike Jackson said it was “regrettable”.
Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel has since made the suggestion that multiple banks could share one location in order to keep out-of-town services open.
In a letter, seen by the JEP, Deputy Renouf has now written to Adele Bohlen, islands director and chief executive of Lloyds Bank International, to organise a meeting.
He wrote: “We would welcome the opportunity to hear more about the reasons for the closure and the work done to understand customer needs that informed the decision, and to discuss with you some of the issues raised by our constituents.”
On his decision to send the letter, he said: “I hope that they come to the meeting with an open mind and are prepared to consider alternatives.
“We would want to hear from them and what their perspective is. The resolution is that there is some kind of commitment to maintain a Lloyds banking presence in the west of the Island that could involve other banks as well.”
Lloyds does not comment on individual meetings, so did not confirm whether the invitation to the meeting had been accepted.
However, it said it welcomed feedback from local politicians and members of the community following a closure decision.
