Barclays are set to close branches in Caernarfon and Porthmadog.
The banking giant says it will close Caernarfon on February 18 next year with Porthmadog to shut on February 25.
Porth customers will be re-directed to branches at Pwllheli and Dolgellau while Bangor will be the nearest branch for those who bank in Caernarfon.
The branch in Port Talbot will also close.
In a letter to Barclays CEO C. S. Venkatakrishnan Plaid Cymru MP for Arfon, Hywel Williams, said: “As you are no doubt aware, the Barclays branch in Caernarfon has long been a linchpin of the local high street, providing essential banking services to the local community and businesses.
"I am therefore deeply concerned by the decision by your bank to close its local branch as this will increase banking exclusion, particularly for the elderly and rural communities, and undermine the local economy.
“Having read your Bank’s explanation with great interest, I accept that the way in which people bank is changing.
"However, I would argue that while pre-pandemic trends were clear, the ongoing pandemic has underlined the importance of local services, while the perennial issue of broadband access in rural areas continues to deny rural communities the ability to use alternative banking services.
"More widely this issue of connectivity not only undermines the use of cards but also more modern methods such as contactless payments, underlining the importance of cash payments and direct banking services.
“As your bank notes, there are ninety-eight customers who bank exclusively with the Caernarfon branch as well as a wider customer base including local businesses. With the closure of this branch, these customers will either be forced to change bank or to travel 9 miles to the nearest Barclays branch in Bangor, or 14 miles to Llangefni, to access basic banking services.
“I sincerely hope therefore that you will reconsider this devastating blow to local communities and ensure that the Barclays branch in Caernarfon remains open.”
A Barclays spokesperson said: “The decision to close a branch is never an easy one. However, customers are increasingly using alternatives to branches to do their banking. As a result, we are seeing a sustained fall in branch visits across the UK.
“This is reflected at the Porthmadog branch where there has been a 13 per cent reduction in counter transactions in the two years to March 2020. In addition, 81 per cent of our customers at the branch are also using different ways to bank.
“This is reflected at the Caernarfon branch where there has been a 26 per cent reduction in counter transactions in the two years to March 2020. In addition, 81 per cent of our customers at the branch are also using different ways to bank.
“We will work with our customers and provide alternative options to ensure they can continue to manage their money and receive financial expertise when required.”
