Banking Hubs

Cash Access UK is on track to deliver 350 banking hubs by the end of this Parliament. To date, Cash Access UK has opened 239 banking hubs of the over 275 recommended by LINK, and over 140 deposit services. Of the 239 banking hubs opened, 70 are in temporary locations.

Where a hub is required following a community request, Cash Access UK will open that within three months in a temporary location, ensuring the community has access to cash and banking services while a permanent location is secured. Temporary hubs offer the same services as permanent hubs.

Where a hub is recommended by LINK because the last bank branch is closing, that hub will open before the bank branch permanently closes, so that there is no gap in service. The last bank branch in a town cannot close before the hub is opened, and the average time to open a hub (where the last bank branch is permanently closing) is under 12 months.

Of the 70 banking hubs that are currently operating from temporary premises, 10 have done so for more than six months, 22 for more than 12 months, and eight for more than 18 months.

HMT has not historically collected figures on individual bank branch closures, but according to consumer website Which?, banks and building societies have closed over 6,700 branches since January 2015, around 69% of branches.

As referred to in answer to PQ 10149, the independent Access to Banking Services Review will consider access to in-person banking for both personal and business customers.

HMT launched the Access to Banking Services Review Call for Evidence on 8 June and will run for 6 weeks, closing on 20 July, inviting input from consumers, businesses, charities, community groups, local authorities and industry across the UK. The evidence will inform recommendations, with findings due in October. Responses can be submitted here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/access-to-banking-services-review-call-for-evidence.