Gayle division councillor in St Mary concerned about closure of PC Bank

People's National Party councillor for the Gayle division in St Mary Jouvaughnie Byfield says he is deeply troubled by the recent developments to shut down the Gayle PC Bank.

Byfield says the longstanding financial institution has served the agricultural community of Gayle for over a century.

He says the closure of the PC Bank will have a devastating impact on farmers across the division.

“Farmers have relied on this PC Bank for generations to provide essential financial services, including loans, savings accounts, and investment opportunities tailored to the unique needs of the agricultural industry,” Byfield said in a statement on Sunday.

“Without access to these critical financial services, farmers will face significant challenges in managing their operations, securing funding for essential purchases such as equipment and seeds, and planning for the future of their businesses. The closure of the Bank will disrupt the financial stability of many farming families and threaten the livelihoods of countless individuals who depend on agriculture for their income,” he added.

Byfield is calling for the relevant authorities to explore all possible avenues to prevent the closure of the bank or to mitigate the negative impact on farmers in the area.

“We urge policymakers and financial institutions to work together to find solutions that will ensure continued access to vital financial services for farmers and support the long-term sustainability of the agricultural sector.”

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