Major bank axing key service at 12 branches within days – is your local affected?
A MAJOR banking chain is axing a key service at 12 high street branches within days.
Santander is getting rid of counters in these branches and switching them to a "counter-free" format.
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This means customers will no longer be able to deposit or withdraw coins or large amounts of cash at these locations.
Instead of speaking to staff at a counter, customers will be directed by floor staff to use ATMs and payment machines, making most transactions digital.
Santander has already removed counters from six of its branches this year, but another 12 are set to lose the service in the coming weeks.
Branches in Bromsgrove, Northwich, Sittingbourne, and Streatham will stop offering counter services on Monday, June 30.
Customers in Bracknell will see counters removed on July 7, while Hartlepool and Nuneaton will follow on July 14.
Gravesend and Liverpool's Allerton Road branch will lose counters on August 4.
Camberley, Orpington, and Rotherham branches will make the switch to a counter-free format on August 11.
Customers needing to deposit or withdraw coins will have to visit another full-service Santander branch or use one of the 11,684 Post Offices.
Withdrawals over £500 a day will also need to be made elsewhere.
This is because cash withdrawals will now be handled through in-branch ATMs rather than in person at a counter.
Inside the hubs restoring high street banking and reversing the tide of mass branch closures
Customers can use their debit card to withdraw more cash at the Post Office, with a limit of £10,000, depending on the funds available at the branch.
For withdrawals over £5,000, there is a £10 flat fee.
Withdrawals over £2,000 incur a charge of 50p per £100, while amounts above £5,000 are charged at 35p per £100.
A spokesperson for Santander UK, said: "As customer behaviour changes, we are ensuring that our branches remain fit for the future.
"Our new combination of full-service branches, alongside Work Cafés, counter-free branches and reduced hours branches, aims to provide the right balance between digital banking and face-to-face money management and guidance.
"As a business, we must move with customers and balance our investment across all the places where we interact with customers, to deliver the very best for them now and in the future."
Which branches are already counter-free?
Abingdon - 23 Bury Street, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 3QT
Accrington - 29-31 Union Street, Accrington, Lancashire, BB5 1PL
Stirling - 49-51 Port Street, Stirling, Stirlingshire, FK8 2EW
Eastleigh - 58 Market Street, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 5RU
Edgware - 115 Station Road, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 7JG
Neath - 20 Green Street, Neath, West Glamorgan, SA11 1EA
What else is happening at Santander?
Santander is cutting the opening hours of dozens of its branches from June 30.
This move comes as part of a broader restructuring, which also includes the closure of 95 branches and the conversion of 18 to "counter-free" service desks.
Currently, most branches are open Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 3:00pm, with many also open on Saturday mornings from 9:30am to 12:30pm.
Under the new plan, these branches will only open three days a week.
Twenty-one branches will operate on a Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday schedule, while 14 others will open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30am to 3:00pm.
One branch will see its hours reduced even further, opening only on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The bank, which serves over 14million UK customers, announced in March that it plans to close 95 branches across the UK.
Following the shake-up, just 349 branches will remain on the high street.
What you can do if your local bank is set to close
There are still a number of ways people can access basic banking services without having to venture to another town with a branch.
You can use one of the Post Office's 11,684 branches to perform basic banking tasks — but not to open new bank accounts or take personal loans and mortgages.
You can find your nearest Post Office branch by visiting postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder.
Meanwhile, many banks offer a mobile banking service - where they bring a bus to your area offering services you can usually get at a physical branch.
Other banks use buildings such as village halls or libraries to offer mobile banking services.
It's worth contacting your bank to see what mobile services they have available, and when they might next be in your area.
New super ATMs are being rolled out across the UK where branch closures have left residents unable to access essential banking services.
These ATMs will allow customers to withdraw funds, access their balance, change PIN numbers and deposit cash.
Bank of Scotland, Barclays, Halifax, Lloyds, NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank are already signed up to allow deposits, at the super ATMs.
Banking hubs are also being opened across the UK with 250 set to be available by the end of 2025.
These sites typically feature a counter service operated by the Post Office as standard, enabling customers to conduct routine banking transactions conveniently.
Each hub also has a private area where customers can consult with staff representing their banks for more complex matters.
What services do banking hubs offer?
BANKING hubs offer a range of services to bridge the gap left by the closure of local branches.
Operated by the Post Office, these hubs allow customers to perform routine transactions such as deposits, withdrawals, and balance enquiries.
Each hub also features private booths where customers can discuss more complex banking matters with staff from their respective banks.
Staff from different banks are available on a rotational basis, ensuring that customers have access to a wide range of banking services throughout the week.
Additionally, customers can receive advice and support on various financial products and services, including loans, mortgages, and savings accounts.
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