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The 200th banking center has opened, according to an organization set up to help secure access to cash.
Cash Access UK says 200th banking hub has been launched billericay In essex,
To mark the occasion, coins from history including a Roman denarius, a medieval Henry VI Noble and a two-shilling piece have been recreated in milk chocolate.
The collection, which celebrates coins from the end of the Iron Age, can be seen in the hub.
A chocolate maker created the coins using a total of 15 kilograms of chocolate and more than 10 grams of metallic luster dust.
People A “taste” of the chocolate coins can be had by visiting the Billericay Hub, which offers a limited number of standard-sized editions. Six giant editions of the coins have also been created.
It took a total of 80 hours to design and create the collection of coins on display.
Banking hubs help eliminate shortcomings in the system by enabling banks to share a single location.
Like other banking centres, the center in Billericay offers a counter service operated by post officeWhere customers of all major banks can do regular transactions.
It also offers a community banker service, where customers can speak to their bank about more complex issues on the day their bank is in the hub. The Billericay Hub is located in the former Lloyds Bank building.
With the opening of the 200th hub, Cash Access UK said more than 130 deposit services are now live across the UK.
Deposit services allow small businesses to deposit and use cash through deposit ATMs, where customers of different banks can bank notes, or advanced post offices, where there is a separate counter for banking customers.
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Banking hub and deposit services are delivered by Cash Access UK in communities where they are needed and recommended by Cash Access and ATM network links.
If a bank branch closes, Link conducts a community review to understand whether the closure will impact access to cash for local people. community If they feel they need better access to cash, they can also ask for an appraisal from Link.
To date, 247 banking centers have been recommended, with plans to open more in the coming months.
Gareth Oakley, CEO of Cash Access UK, said: “Reaching our 200th banking hub is a huge achievement and shows the strength of industry collaboration to keep cash and banking services accessible.
“These hubs are proving extremely popular, demonstrating that face-to-face banking remains important for millions of individuals and businesses across the UK despite the rise of digital banking. We are proud to bring this service to Billericay and will continue to deliver new services across the country.”
John Howells, CEO of Link, said: “Almost five years after the first hub opened in Essex, it is great to see the 200th hub opening nearby in Billericay.
“The Hubs are providing essential cash and banking services across the UK, allowing people and small businesses to easily bank and access cash. Link has recommended almost 250 Hubs and will continue to safeguard access to cash for every community.”
Ross Borkett, director of financial services at the Post Office, said: “Opening the 200th banking center in Billericay is an incredible milestone.
“Banking centers provide a face-to-face service, which we know many people still value, whether they are withdrawing or depositing their cash, checking their balance, or meeting their local banker.
“We are extremely proud of our partnership with Cash Access UK and look forward to opening many more banking centers in communities across the UK in the coming months.”
A survey conducted among 2,000 people to mark the event found that 46% felt more in control of their festive spending when using cash.
According to research conducted in December, almost a quarter (24%) of people said they were receiving bank transfers instead of gifts during the festive period.
Lucy Rigby, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said: “Banking centers give our high streets a boost – allowing local shop owners and people to withdraw cash, pay money and talk to a real person about their finances all in one place.
“I am delighted to be opening the 200th hub today, and will continue to work with major high street banks to deliver 350 by the end of this Parliament so these communities can get the services they need.”