An inquiry into Access to Banking has been launched as the shocking number of bank closures since 2015 has been revealed.
The Welsh Assembly's Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee will examine the state of access to banking services and how bank branch and ATM closures are affecting local communities, businesses and tourism
It will also explore the possibility of establishing a community bank with branches across Wales.
This comes as new research from Which? has revealed that almost 80 banks have shut in North Wales between 2015 to 2018. There were also more than 20 in Powys and Ceredigion.
In North Wales the worst hit counties were Conwy and Gwynedd with 16 closures each while some towns have lost four banks in a matter of months - including Abergele, Buckley, and Prestatyn.
While some sites remain empty many have been occupied again - with the new ventures ranging from wine bars in Conwy and Menai Bridge to a deli and play centre in Penygroes.
Gareth Shaw, Head of Money, Which?, said: "In Wales, people are being stripped of their ability to access cash and financial services through the double blow of cashpoint and bank branch closures - so it's right to see the Welsh Assembly focusing on this crucial issue.
"The UK Government must appoint a regulator with oversight for protecting access to cash and manage against these rapid changes to ensure the millions of people still reliant on cash in their daily lives aren't shut out from being able to buy local goods and services."
Ynys Mon MP Albert Owen said: "Banks are turning their backs on local high streets and local communities with their branch closures policies. This is on top of post office closures which leaves businesses and customers without basic financial services.
"I have campaigned and raised this in Parliament, sadly this UK Government is just a bystander. We need a government to hold the banks to account and take action.
"The government owns the Post Office and a stake in RBS, we need to convert this into a Peoples’ Bank and an Investment bank for small businesses.
"A Labour Government would do this using our post offices as local community banks for everyday services and serving the communities and high streets.
"This radical change is needed to stop the closure programme and will help regenerate our town centres."
A UK Finance spokesperson said: “Bank branches play an important role in the life of local communities and decisions to close them are never taken lightly.
"Research shows that consumers are increasingly choosing newer ways to help them with their banking, using technology to check balances and make payments - or even speak to your bank 24/7.
"But technology is not for everyone and maintaining access to cash is vital to ensure no customer is left behind.
"That is why all the high-street banks have arranged for everyday banking services to be available through 11,500 Post Offices across the country and mobile bank branches to reach more rural communities, while investing in the existing ATM network to ensure continuity of service when ATMs are no longer commercially viable to operate.”
Full list of banks that have closed since 2015 - (source Which?)
FLINTSHIRE - 11 closures
Lloyds Hawarden 2016
HSBC CHESTER RETAIL COMMERCIAL (EWLOE) 2016
HSBC FLINT 2016
HSBC BUCKLEY 2015
Barclays Queensferry 2018
Barclays Buckley 2016
NatWest Buckley 2015
Lloyds Buckley 2019
Barclays Holywell 2016
NatWest Holywell 2017
HSBC HOLYWELL 2017
WREXHAM - 6 closures
RBS Wrexham 2018
Co-Op Wrexham 2016
NatWest Rossett 2015
HSBC CAERGWRLE 2016
HSBC CHIRK 2016
HSBC RUABON 2016
DENBIGHSHIRE - 12
Barclays Ruthin 2018
NatWest Ruthin 2017
Barclays Denbigh 2018
NatWest Denbigh 2015
NatWest St. Asaph 2015
Co-Op Rhyl 2016
Yorkshire Bulding Society Prestatyn 2017
NatWest Prestatyn 2017
Santander Prestatyn 2017
RBS Prestatyn 2019
NatWest Llangollen 2015
NatWest Corwen 2015
CONWY - 16 closures
HSBC CERRIGYDRUDION 2015
Yorkshire Bulding Society Abergele 2017
HSBC ABERGELE 2017
Barclays Abergele 2017
NatWest Abergele 2015
HSBC BETWS-Y-COED 2016
HSBC LLANRWST 2017
Barclays Llanrwst 2018
NatWest Llanrwst 2015
NatWest Rhos-on-Sea 2015
RBS Colwyn Bay 2018
Santander Colwyn Bay 9 2015(Bank still retains one site in the town)
RBS Llandudno 2018
Barclays Llandudno Junction 2016
NatWest Conwy 2017
NatWest Penmaenmawr 2015
GWYNEDD - 16 closures
HSBC TYWYN 2016
NatWest Tywyn 2015
NatWest Dolgellau 2018
Barclays Bala 2018
NatWest Bala 2015
HSBC BLAENAU-FFESTINIOG 2016
NatWest Blaenau Ffestiniog 2015
HSBC BARMOUTH 2016
Barclays Barmouth 2018
NatWest Barmouth 2015
HSBC HARLECH 2015
NatWest Porthmadog 2017
NatWest Abersoch 2015
NatWest Caernarfon 2017
HSBC LLANBERIS 2015
Co-Op Bangor 2016
ANGLESEY - 11 closures
NatWest Beaumaris 2016
HSBC MENAI BRIDGE 2016
NatWest Menai Bridge 2017
HSBC HOLYHEAD 2017
Barclays Holyhead 2019
NatWest Holyhead 2017
HSBC AMLWCH 2016
NatWest Amlwch 2017
Barclays Amlwch 2017
Yorkshire Bulding Society Llangefni 2017
Santander Llangefni 2019
CEREDIGION and POWYS - 29 closures
Lloyds Crickhowell 2017
NatWest Crickhowell 2015
NatWest Cardigan 2018
Barclays Llandysul 2017
HSBC ABERAERON 2016
NatWest Aberaeron 2015
NatWest Lampeter 2018
Barclays Ystradgynlais 2018
NatWest Montgomery 2015
Barclays Llanidloes 2017
HSBC MACHYNLLETH 2015
Barclays Machynlleth 2018
NatWest Machynlleth 2017
HSBC LLANFAIR CAEREINION 2016
NatWest Welshpool 2017
HSBC LLANFYLLIN 2016
NatWest Tregaron 2015
Lloyds Tregaron 2017
HSBC HAY ON WYE 2017
NatWest Hay-on-Wye 2017
Barclays Hay-on-Wye 2018
Santander Llandrindod 2018
Santander Builth Wells 2018
NatWest Builth Wells 2017
HSBC BUILTH WELLS 2016
Barclays Llanwrtyd Wells 2015
HSBC RHAYADER 2016
Barclays Knighton 2018
HSBC KNIGHTON 2017
