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According to Which?, more than three in five bank branches across the UK have closed since 2015.
The report found that Yorkshire and the Humber has the worst access to bank branches in the UK.
Consumer group Witch Money says there are just 4.4 branches left in the region per 100,000 people.
The East Midlands has the second lowest number of branches per 100,000 people with 4.6 branches, while Scotland has the most with nine.
New rules overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) mean that if banks close branches and it would affect their ability to serve local communities, they must offer alternatives, such as building more banking hubs or cash machines.
“Essential” Services
Sam Richardson, from Wych Money, said nine constituencies in Yorkshire – Barnsley South, Doncaster East, Isle of Axholme, Penistone, Stocksbridge, Rawmarsh, Conisbrough, Sheffield Hallam, Outer York, Ossett, Denbigh Dale, Colne Valley and Bradford South – currently have no bank branches.
Richardson said the bank cited the shift to online banking as the main reason for the closures.
“That’s true, but many people may not be able to access these services because of their disabilities,” he said.
“Or maybe you just want to hear trusted advice directly from someone.”
According to FCA figures, three million people in the UK are reliant on cash.
“Being able to withdraw cash is very important to them and small businesses also need a place to deposit their cash,” Richardson said.
“Branch closures can have a significant impact on local communities.”
Many locations offer counter services from all major banks as well as consultations with staff from the top five banks.
More than three in five bank branches across the UK have closed permanently since 2015, according to a report by Which?
The impact on local communities could be “devastating”, but banking hubs have been proposed as a solution for people who don’t want to do everything online.
Big banks recently committed to setting up 350 locations by 2029, but Richardson said this needs to be accelerated.
“The rollout of banking hubs is not happening fast enough,” he said.
“Banks really need to pick up the pace.”
UK Finance said the banking industry is committed to making cash available to people who need it.
The industry group said there were already a number of co-operative banking locations open across Yorkshire and Post Office branches also offered many banking services.
Adrian Roberts, of ATM and cash access network Link, said while more people now bank and make payments digitally, millions still rely on or prefer cash.
He said the data showed they were “not just the oldest or poorest in society”.
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