Half of all cashpoints ‘could go in two years’
PEOPLE face being unable to access their money after 13,000 cashpoints were axed in just three years.
And the 54,400 remaining could halve again by 2023,Which? warned yesterday.
The toll includes 3,300 holes in the wall lost in 2020 when tens of thousands of customers said they were left short of cash.
The number of ATMs stood at 67,300 in 2018.
Which? chief Anabel Hoult has now written to the eight big banks urging them to guarantee they will preserve cashpoints.
The news comes just months after a report revealed 1,400 banks and building society branches have shut in the past five years.
Accountants PWc and the Local Data Company said an average of 55 outlets closed per month – including 235 in the first half of 2020.
Ms Hoult said: “Ensuring the most vulnerable members of society have cash to pay for essential goods and services must be a priority not an afterthought.
“There is no doubt that more people than ever benefit from digital banking.
“That does not detract from the need to provide reasonable access to cash for the millions who need it.”
Cashback and other alternatives are still being rolled out – but not fast enough as ATMs vanish.
The big eight banks are Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest, Santander, Halifax, Nationwide and TSB.
Which? wants the Government to protect cashpoints – and banks to continue membership of the Link and Post Office dispenser networks.
BANKS are being urged to pause planned branch closures during the pandemic.
City watchdog the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said shutting local branches during lockdowns would make it harder for the banks to reach all their customers.
It mentioned in particular vulnerable people who need additional help to access online banking and make payments.
The regulator said: “They [the banks] should consider pausing or delaying new branch closures where possible, particularly where this could have a significant impact on vulnerable customers.”