More shared “banking hubs” have been announced for 13 communities across the UK that have been hit by branch and ATM closures.
It comes after trial hubs — run by the Post Office and shared by the major banks — opened in Rochford in Essex and in Cambuslang, on the outskirts of Glasgow.
Operating in a similar way to a standard bank branch, the service allows customers of almost any bank to withdraw and deposit cash, make bill payments and carry out regular transactions. Customers can also see staff from their own bank on different days of the week.
The hubs are aimed at “providing vital cash and banking services where they are needed most”, said ATM network Link and the Cash Action Group, which includes banking industry representatives and others.
Of the first wave of 12 hubs, only the first two are in currently operation but the other 10 are expected to open over the next few months.
The 13 new hubs announced on Tuesday take the total number planned to 25.
Locations are set to include Brechin in Angus, Forres in Moray, Carluke in Lanarkshire, Kirkcudbright in Dumfries and Galloway, Axminster in Devon, Barton-upon-Humber in Lincolnshire, Lutterworth in Leicestershire, Royal Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire, Cheadle in Staffordshire, Belper in Derbyshire, Maryport in Cumbria and Hornsea in Yorkshire.
Additionally, the first banking hub under the scheme in Northern Ireland will open in Kilkeel in Newry.
Natalie Ceeney, chair of the Cash Action Group, said: “Cash still matters hugely to millions of people across the UK and with the cost-of-living crisis biting, more and more people are turning to cash as a way of budgeting effectively. Banking hubs are an important part of the solution.”
