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Britain makes it tougher for banks to close branches

Banks in Britain must comply with harder guidelines from September that need them to postpone branch closures till they can reveal regulators that local communities would still have free access to an alternative company of money.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published last access to money guidelines on Tuesday after lawmaker issues that susceptible individuals, and those living in rural areas, face difficulties acquiring cash to pay for their shopping and services when a branch is shut.

In the 2 years to June 2023, 1,358 bank and building society branches have been shut, the FCA said, as many people bank online and usage cards for payments.

3 million people continue to depend on cash, even as digital payments end up being more popular. And many small businesses still require someplace to securely transfer their profits each day, Sheldon Mills, FCA executive director of consumers and competitors, said in a declaration.

Parliament has passed a law offering the FCA powers to mandate banks to examine prospective money gaps left behind by branch closures, and to put in place an alternative service to withdraw money complimentary of charge for consumers with a savings account, before a. branch can be shut.

Alternatives should consist of a free-to-use atm, or. center at post workplaces established collectively by banks that have actually left a. town or town.

Previously, the centers were part of a voluntary scheme by. banks, leading to hold-ups in setting them up, with only 67 of 146. proposed hubs really provided.

Our approach therefore aims to resolve these imperfections, the. FCA said.

Local locals and organizations can likewise request an. evaluation of whether there are gaps in regional money gain access to if a. branch is closed, the FCA said.

The FCA's powers won't prevent the closure of bank. branches, but will have an impact where branch closures leave. significant spaces in local cash gain access to, the watchdog stated.

Fourteen banks, constructing societies, including Barclays. , Lloyds, HSBC, NatWest, Nationwide. Building Society and Santander, need to comply. with the guidelines.

The Labour Party, now in government, said in June it would. give regulators even more powers to considerably increase the. variety of banking hubs.

(source: Reuters)