County Durham banking hub opening date confirmed with five major banks including Natwest involved
Customers of all major banks and building societies can carry out regular cash transactions at the site between Monday and Friday 9am-5pm when the site opens later this year
by Nicole Goodwin · ChronicleLiveCustomers from five major banks will be able to visit a local branch in person again from next month, as the opening date for a new Banking Hub is confirmed.
Each weekday, a representative from one of the UK's major banks or building societies will be available to meet at the site, while customers of all major banks and building societies will be able to carry out regular cash transactions.
Banking Hubs share a banking space on the high street and offer a counter service operated by the Post Office, with the aim to bring facilities back to the community.
Bank representatives, known as The Community Bankers, work on rotation, with a different bank available on each day of the week. Community Bankers are usually provided by the banks or building society with the most customers in the local area.
Banking Hubs were set up by Cash Access UK, an organisation which aims to protect nationwide access to cash. Cash Access UK is owned and funded by 10 of the UK's biggest banks: Bank of Ireland, Barclays, Danske Bank, HSBC UK, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Santander, TSB, Virgin Money and AIB NI. These firms have come together to provide shared services available to all their customers.
The organisation will open a new branch at the Byron Place Shopping Centre, in Seaham, on November 4. The official opening will take place between 11am and 12pm. It will then open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
Community Bankers will be available at the as follows when the site opens:
- Monday: NatWest
- Tuesday: Lloyds
- Wednesday: Halifax
- Thursday: Santander
- Friday: Barclays
The Hub was recommended by LINK, the UK's cash access and ATM network, following confirmation of the closure of the town's last bank branch. Seaham's Hub will be the second to open in Durham, with a Hub already opened in nearby Newton Aycliffe. Four other Hubs have also been recommended across County Durham in Crook, Ferryhill, Spennymoor and Stanley.
Gareth Oakley, CEO at Cash Access UK: "I'm happy to announce the opening of our Seaham Hub, ensuring crucial access to cash and face-to-face banking services which are vital to both residents and businesses across the community."
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