SIR, — The important point about the closure of the RBS branch in St Albans all day Monday, December 8 (Herts Advertiser, December 11) and not acknowledged by the RBS spokesperson, is that RBS has owned NatWest for eight years and, incidentally, both bank

SIR, - The important point about the closure of the RBS branch in St Albans all day Monday, December 8 (Herts Advertiser, December 11) and not acknowledged by the RBS spokesperson, is that RBS has owned NatWest for eight years and, incidentally, both banks are now majority owned by all of us taxpayers.

To direct customers to undertake a 20-mile return journey to Watford or Hemel Hempstead to conduct essential banking business when the NatWest branch 200 yards away was open normally and operating on the same computer system is appalling treatment. At the very least a help desk should have been established in NatWest and a large poster displayed on the closed RBS with directions.

This incident mirrors the reported case of the NatWest St Albans branch closed for two days in June due to flooding when customers were directed to Harpenden and the RBS branch in St albans couldn't help.

Isn't it time this group offered a better service in emergencies?

DEREK FRENCH,

Director, Campaign for Community Banking Services.