Two of the country’s biggest banking giants recently announced that they are closing another 63 branches, taking away services from local communities around the UK. Barclays and Lloyds Banking Group between them announced a series of 63 closures, which are due to take place later this year or early next year, including 19 across Scotland.
Barclays plans to close 10 branches, while Lloyds is closing 21 Lloyds Bank sites, 15 Halifax and 17 Bank of Scotland between September and next May. The rapid closure of the UK’s banking network comes as more people choose to almost exclusively use online banking, rather than visiting a branch.
However, many people may be unaware of the free day-to-day banking services available at the Post Office. Some £3.33billion-worth of transactions were made at Post Office counters and in-store kiosks in May, marking the highest total since last September, when it was £3.35billion.
Business and personal cash deposits totalled £2.48billion in May, marking a 10 per cent month-on-month increase. Personal cash withdrawals totalled £817million in May, up by 7.5 per cent month-on-month.
The Post Office said the figures underline the important role of its branches as the leisure and hospitality sectors enter their busiest time of the year. It has partnerships with more than 30 banks, building societies and credit unions meaning that 99 per cent of UK bank customers can access their accounts at their Post Office branch.
Martin Kearsley, Post Office banking director, said: "Postmasters continue to provide vital everyday banking services to millions of people and thousands of small businesses each month In many communities, post offices are the only location where banking can be done.
"With good weather forecast across the UK for June, postmasters are on hand to support Britain's pubs, restaurants, ice cream sellers, hoteliers and many others in the hospitality and leisure sector who rely on their local post office to deposit cash takings conveniently, quickly and securely."
What can people do at any UK Post Office?
You can use any of these services at a Post Office counter:
- Withdraw cash from your usual bank account using your card
- Pay cash into your usual bank account using a card or paying-in slip
- Check your bank balance using your card
- Deposit a cheque
These banking service s are available for free to customers of more than 20 banks and building societies, including all the high street big names. You can check the full list of participating banks and services available at the Post Office here.
Banks allowing customers to use Post Office for services
The following personal banking services are now available from any Post Office branch:
- Adam & Co
- Allied Irish Bank (GB)
- Bank of Ireland
- Bank of Scotland
- Barclays
- Cahoot
- Cashplus Bank
- Coutts
- Co-Op
- Danske
- First Direct
- Halifax
- Handelsbanken
- HSBC
- Lloyds
- Nationwide
- NatWest
- RBS
- Santander
- Smile
- Starling Bank
- Thinkmoney
- TSB
- Ulster bank
- Virgin Money
Where and when can you use banking services at the Post Office?
You can use these services:
- At any Post Office branch, including inside retail outlets
- Whenever it’s open - this includes evenings and Sundays (where available)
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