The Member of Parliament for Hitchin and Harpenden has called for new banking hubs to become centres of community.
Bim Afolami MP made the comments in a new report which highlights the importances of bank and building society branches to communities.
The report suggests that new hubs should be established with financial services, public services and community advice all offered.
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Bim Afolami MP said: "Residents in Harpenden, Redbourn, Sandridge and Wheathampstead have told me how important it is to our local community that we have local high street banking services in Harpenden.
"Hundreds of local people have gotten behind my campaign for a district council-owned banking hub in the Public Halls and this work I have been doing in Westminster as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Financial Markets and Services has further underlined the importance of bank branches as community assets to people right across the country.
“The evidence shows that people want bank branches on their high streets – but it also shows us the value that these new banking hubs could have to provide services beyond banking.
"I am immensely grateful to local residents for their support for my campaign for a Harpenden banking hub.
"I will continue to engage with the District Council to deliver a community hub in Harpenden’s Public Halls which can secure in-person banking services in Harpenden for future generations and which can provide a whole range of other community services which would be of huge benefit to local residents.”
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