A MONMOUTHSHIRE town will lose another bank after HSBC decided to close its branch there.

Its Usk branch is scheduled to close in early June.

Customers were told by letter their nearest branches will be in Cwmbran, Chepstow, Pontypool and the town’s Post Office.

Monmouth Assembly Member Nick Ramsay said he was dismayed by the decision, especially after NatWest closed their branch in the town, and the possible impact on its high street.

Mr Ramsay said: “I’m asking for a meeting with HSBC urgently, and seeking justification for this decision and asking whether there is any chance it may be reconsidered.

“We need to know what contingency plans are in place for customers if the closure goes ahead. This is dreadful news for Usk, and with Barclays open only during reduced hours the future looks bleak for banking in the town.

“I will be doing all I can to try to have this decision reversed.”

A HSBC spokesman told the Argus: “We never take the decision to close a branch lightly, and we understand it's unsettling for the local community. Unfortunately, with an increase in the use of online and telephone banking over the past few years use of the Usk branch has fallen significantly, and we've taken the difficult decision to close it.

“We are working with customers who use the branch to help them understand their options, which include being able to use local post offices for their day-to-day banking. There are also free ATMs in the area."