The closure of HSBC on Marlow High Street last month was the final nail in the coffin for the town's in-person banking services. 

While Nationwide building society remains in operation on Marlow High Street, all of the town's traditional banking services have now disappeared, a trend that residents have found concerning. 

Colin McCulloch said he had received "abusive messages" following the concerns he has expressed for years about "the long-term effect of the internet on Marlow High Street".

"Now, years later, those effects are becoming apparent. The major banks, currently making record profits, have all left Marlow.

“The elderly, disabled and those who find internet banking difficult will suffer most. Furthermore, if they feel forced into internet banking, they will be the ones most vulnerable to scammers and con artists.”

Mary Saunders added that the limited services offered by Post Offices in the wake of the closures do not provide a sufficient alternative for those who have spent their life reliant on tangible banking support.

She said: "Santander was the first bank to go back in 2021 and four others have left Marlow since then. We still have Nationwide, but it's a banking society, not a bank, and can't offer the same things."

HSBC's impact analysis report for its branch in Marlow stated that the closure was reflective of "changes in the way customers are choosing to bank", with "nine out of ten customers making transactions via telephone, internet or smartphone" and "99 per cent of cash withdrawals made at an ATM".

Both Colin and Mary said they would be in favour of a banking hub in the town, with Colin emphasising that local councils should take action to communicate the levels of demand in their communities.

Chris Funnell, Leader of Marlow Town Council, said he understood residents' frustration about the lack of banking facilities in the town but added that he would direct them towards their local Post Offices, where basic face-to-face services are still available.

Buckinghamshire's first banking hub was installed in the Buckingham Library last month following a campaign by the Buckingham and Villages Community Board. 

Set up by Cash Access UK, the hub provides in-person services for a number of banks and building societies on a rotational basis.

Clive Harriss, Buckinghamshire Council's Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, said he was "really happy" to see Buckingham Library "play such an important part in ensuring that residents have local access to banking services". 

Bank closures in Marlow:

Santander - 2021

Barclays - 2022

Lloyds - 2022

Natwest - 2022

HSBC - 2023