The mobile banking service, implemented on December 10 last year, covers 18 municipalities in the Les Garrigues and Segrià regions that lacked any permanent bank branch. This initiative by the Govern (Catalan Government) was launched for the 503 Catalan municipalities affected by financial exclusion.
The service contract for this area was awarded to CaixaBank for a two-year period, renewable. The bank's assessment after twelve months is positive, noting constant usage in all villages visited by the van, which is equipped with a traditional office and an ATM.
“"There is no village where it is not used"
The majority of users are elderly; approximately 70% are aged 65 or older. The most frequent operations are withdrawals, deposits, and tax payments. Activity increases particularly during the summer months.
Bonache stressed that the success of the service largely depends on municipal collaboration to inform residents about the van's arrival schedule, as it only stays for one or two hours in each locality.
