LINK / How we assess Cash Access

Assessing a Community's Needs

Part of our role is to make sure communities have the right services to access cash locally.

Whenever there is a change in how people access cash locally - such as a branch closure, or where an ATM closes, we do an assessment based on a process and measures agreed by the major banks.

We apply those same rules whenever someone contacts us about their area too.

LINK cannot consider gaps in or access to wider banking services but only the ability to pay cash into or take cash from personal current accounts for people and for businesses.

Step 1

Assessment

Here's How We Do It

The first thing we do is look at who needs cash and where they live.

Then, we look at what options businesses and people have to pay in and withdraw cash.

(We look at the community as a whole, including bank branches, post offices and ATMs.)

If there are good options for businesses and consumers

There is no more for us to do

If we think better options may be needed

We'll then find out more about the area

The larger a place is,

the more likely it is that we'll need to recommend a new service

We know each area is different,

so there is no hard and fast rule, but we are unlikely to recommend a banking hub unless there are...

at least

10,000
people

within

the local area*

* Find out more about how we count shops and more about our process here.

and at least

70
shops

on the high street

* Find out more about how we count shops and more about our process here.

on the high street

Step 2

Next, we look at what impact any change will have on people and businessess.

We know that cash users are more likely to be financially vulnerable, not own a smartphone, and be older than average.

We therefore look at

How close is the nearest bank

- How easy is it to get to
- And how much does it cost to get there?

How financially vulnerable

the community is

Whether people have

good digital skills locally

How many

older people live nearby

This tells us which communities need support the most.

We don't make decisions based on the ones that shout the loudest.

Our visit

If we think the community might need better cash services,

we come and visit, to make sure we've not missed anything!

We therefore look at

Bus timetables

Steep hills

Major roads

Seasonal demand

Because we know what we see on a computer screen isn't always enough to know what's right.

Step 3

Following the visit

After the visit we’ll decide if any additional services to deposit and withdraw cash are needed and if they are practical to provide. In some cases we won’t recommend any new cash services.

Where better cash services are needed, we will be clear what minimum features those services should have.
This could mean one or more of the following services are then delivered...

Free to use

ATM