Catral Town Council has unanimously approved a motion to terminate commercial and contractual relationships with any banking entities that close local branches and stop providing in-person services to residents.
The initiative follows the announced closure of the Banco Sabadell branch in the municipality, a decision that has sparked widespread concern over the loss of financial services. Following the branch closure, Catral is left with only three banks offering face-to-face customer care: BBVA, CaixaBank and Caja Rural Central, further restricting options for local residents, businesses and traders.
Under the agreed motion, the local authority will close its accounts and end contract agreements with institutions that cease face-to-face operations in the town. The resolution also calls on relevant authorities to introduce regulatory changes ensuring universal access to basic financial services, particularly in areas affected by branch closures.
Socialist spokesperson Raúl Alonso highlighted the negative fallout from such corporate decisions, noting that numerous local residents had expressed their frustration. Defending the motion, councillor Alba Ruiz stated that the council must close its accounts and end contractual ties with any bank failing to serve the people of Catral.
During the council debate, members stressed that branch closures force many users to travel to neighbouring towns for essential transactions. This creates severe hurdles for elderly residents, people with reduced mobility and those who struggle with online banking platforms. The reduction of physical branches is also feared to cause overcrowding at remaining financial institutions and accelerate the erosion of essential services in smaller municipalities.
While acknowledging that the local council cannot interfere directly in private corporate strategies, the motion asserts its responsibility to safeguard public interest and combat financial exclusion in Catral.
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