Last Bank Closes in Thame
On Tuesday 18 February, the Thame branch of Lloyds Bank closed its doors permanently.
According to a Lloyds Bank review, ‘Before we decided to permanently close the Thame branch, we carried out a thorough review to understand how our customers and the community would be impacted. Most customers are now using our Mobile Banking app, Internet Banking or calling us instead. This means they are using branches, including our Thame branch much less.’
Lloyds Bank says it will now provide Thame customers with a Community Banker who will be available in the area to help customers one day a week. Community Bankers do not provide cash deposits or withdrawals. Lloyds Community Banker services include:
- Card and PIN services
- Managing your account
- Help with Internet Banking or the Mobile Banking app
- Help with Telephone Banking
- Payments and transfers
Where is the Replacement Service?
Lloyds’ Cornmarket branch was originally scheduled to close in early December last year, but it’s believed the closure was extended to February to allow time for the implementation of an Automated Deposit Service (ADS).
The ADS machine, which will provide limited cash deposit facilities only, was recommended for Thame by LINK, which independently assesses communities’ cash needs. According to its Cash Access Assessment Outcome statement for Thame (18 September, 2024) ‘We expect these services to be ready within three months of us sharing this assessment, unless someone asks for a review, in which case it will be within three months of sharing the outcome of that review. In any event, the services should be ready before the old facility closes.‘
To date, no ADS machine has been installed in Thame.
Calls for a Banking Hub Gain Momentum
Over 1,200 people have now completed a survey calling for a banking hub in Thame, which is regarded as a better solution for the town, especially for local businesses that take cash. Those businesses now have to travel to Aylesbury, Oxford, or High Wycombe for their banking services. Personal banking customers have to do the same unless they switch to Nationwide, which still has a branch in Thame.
Unfortunately, the Nationwide Building Society does not offer business or charity banking services.
Those calling for a banking hub say it would offer a broader range of services, including daily counter services for personal and business banking, with the major banks providing a face-to-face presence for queries on scheduled days each week.
Those who support the campaign for a banking hub in Thame are encouraged to take the online survey or complete the leaflet which was recently delivered to Thame homes and return it to the Information Centre, Thame Town Hall, High Street, Thame OX9 3DP.
Replies must be received by Friday, 28 February.