Natwest’s 2p or not 2p

 

Under fire Natwest Bank has been ridiculed for posting a 2p cheque to a Welshpool customer, just weeks after implementing money-saving cuts at several local branches.

 

The man, who wished not to be named, closed his account with the global banking giant and was told that there could be some outstanding interest owed to him. And he was delighted when a Natwest envelope dropped through his letterbox several days later.

 

But his joy turned to bewilderment when it was revealed that the amount staring back at him would not even cover the cost of a sweet from the newsagents.

 

“I had to look at it three or four times to make sure it was actually 2p that they had sent me,” he said. “I couldn’t believe it. It must have cost them 32p to post it nevermind the cost of the person’s time who actually wrote the accompanying letter and then mailed it to me!”

 

Taking into account the time and process of paying in the cheque to his new Barclays Bank account (who would then have to send the cheque back to Natwest to be honoured), it is understandable why the father-of-two was left scratching his head. He even received two follow-up letters to show his account’s balance was actually zero following receipt of the 2p cheque.

 

“It is hard to comprehend,” he said: “The banks have got themselves into a right mess lately and while this one example wouldn’t exactly make much difference, it does bring the whole sector into question.”

 

So will he actually be cashing it in? Not likely.

 

“Can you honestly believe anyone would pay in a 2p cheque?” he quipped: “It would be so embarrassing and would cost me a lot more in petrol to drive into town to do it!”

 

Natwest is under mounting pressure locally after announcing cost cutting measures to services in Llanfair Caereinion and Montgomery; a move which triggered a 1,000-strong petition led by Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates.

 

The bank defended its cuts by insisting customer numbers had dropped and explained: “Rather than close, we are keen to maintain a presence.”

 

 

-         Almost a pear drop in Yum Yums (before it sadly closed)

-         Small (very) sip of a Pinewood pint (no spillage)

-         Nothing from any of the town’s charity shops