WHENEVER fail to continually be dismayed by HSBC and the way in which it deals with local communities.

In the past we have carried stories on how it has closed branches in Newport and Blaenavon.

Each time locals and politicians who fight the closure, seem to bang their head against a brick wall in their dealings with the company.

It seems no different in Caerleon, which is also set to lose a HSBC branch and thus rob the village of its only free cash withdrawals.

Local councillors have asked that the building be handed over to the community, a request which HSBC has denied.

Now, we understand that companies are highly unlikely to do something like that, but surely, a firm that made an £8billion half-yearly profit, could at least enter into some sensible dialogue with those who don’t want to see the building remain empty.

We are also cynical about the claims an independent ATM provider wants to install a free cash machine with a local trader.

Unless this cash machine is outside, then it will be no good for people who need their cash outside normal shop hours.

It’s time the bank’s bosses woke up and listened to people.

The firm is doing nothing to live up to its slogan of being the ‘world’s local bank’.

In fact, that line is becoming increasingly laughable.