Ceredigion MP Mark Williams tackled Santander representatives about the Cardigan branch closure last week.

Mr Williams discussed their decision to terminate contracts with agencies with which they had made agreements with three years ago to carry out limited services in areas which there is not a nearby Santander branch.

This included the termination of the contract with an agency in Cardigan, meaning Santander customers in the Cardigan area will have to travel to Aberystwyth or Carmarthen to visit their nearest branch.

The representatives explained that these agencies are often the result of historic takeovers of branches Santander Bank have acquisitioned in the previous years. Santander explained their concern that the agencies were paid by Santander to carry out a limited range for services to customers, and this was therefore not under the same strict set of financial regulations as Santander adhere to, so felt they were no longer able to support this model.

Mark Williams said: "Whilst I understand Santander’s decision, it is still a concern to hear about yet another service being withdrawn from one of our local communities.

"The banks must understand there are real limitations in broadband access and physically across rural west Wales. The simple assertion that people can travel to an alternative branch, is not an option many of my constituents can countenance."