Penarth postmaster wants a banking hub for elderly customers

If you have visited the post office on Glebe Street, you have likely seen the long line of customers all the way to the front door.

Postmaster Sajaad Yasin says he desperately wants to help his elderly customers but is struggling with the high level of demand.

“We offer elderly people a one-to-one interaction with a real person not a computer.

"However, a lot of elderly people asking questions are taking up a lot of our time.

Postmaster Sajaad Yasin (Image: Supplied)

“We do feel we bring a value to elderly customers and take a burden off their shoulders – some of them don’t even have family."

However, he said giving this level of support to such a high demand isn't something they are necessarily ‘paid to do’.

To ensure his customers are able to get the support they need, he wants a banking hub to be opened in the area.

He emphasised he wants customers to know they can still come to the post office which offers lots of banking related services.

What are banking hubs?

Around 6,000 banks, which elderly customers relied on for in-person support have closed on high streets across the UK since 2015. 

In communities without banks, banking hubs have been set up which are shared by Cash Access UK, a not-for-profit company. 

A banking hub is normally operated by the Post Office in partnership with major high street banks.  

These hubs have a ‘community banker’ service where customers can discuss more complex banking issues such as debt advice. 

Why isn't there a bank hub in Penarth?

The locations of banking hubs are determined by how much demand there is in an area by LINK who assess which communities are most in need. 

The UK’s main ATM network, Link, recommended that 101 new banking hubs be set up in the UK.

Public Affairs Manager for Link, Adam Wilkinson said:

LINK has assessed Penarth and found the level of cash services within the town are appropriate to serve the needs of the community.  

 

"These include two Post Offices providing basic banking services, five free to use ATMs and a Nationwide providing banking for personal customers.

 

"We are always keen to hear directly from communities about their cash needs and anyone who feels there are inadequate services in their area can apply to LINK for a cash access review.”