Latest news with #PostOffice
The Sun
13 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Huge change for millions of Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland customers from today ahead of ‘vital' service axe
LLOYDS, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland are making a big change to how customers can deposit cash at Post Offices from today. Millions of current account holders regularly rely on their local Post Office for everyday banking tasks, such as depositing cash or paying in cheques. 1 This has become increasingly important as thousands of bank branches have closed in recent years, making the Post Office a crucial alternative for accessing essential banking services. The process for making a deposit can differ depending on your bank. However, most people use what's called a 'pay-in slip'. This slip resembles a cheque and allows you to write down the amount of cash or cheques you're depositing, along with your bank account number. Once completed, you hand it over at the kiosk, and the cashier processes the deposit in just a few minutes. However, starting today (June 2), customers of any of the three Lloyds Banking Group brands will no longer be able to use these slips. Instead, they'll need to bring their debit card, hand it to the cashier, and enter their PIN to complete the deposit. This change comes as the banking giant prepares to completely end axe ability for customers to deposit cheques at their local Post Offices in December. Back in March, The Sun revealed that the service will officially be discontinued for all customers on December 31. This means customers will need to travel further afield to visit their nearest bank branch or rely on mobile banking to deposit their cheques. However, those looking to deposit cash only will still be able to do so at any of the Post Office's 11,500 branches. Inside the hubs restoring high street banking and reversing the tide of mass branch closures Consumer rights expert Martyn James said: "Being able to deposit cheques simply and easily is a vital lifeline. "With millions of cheques still issued each year, and older people relying on them far more than other age groups, this group stands to lose the most from these changes." The change is part of a push by Lloyds Banking Group to get more of its customers using its mobile app. It recently highlighted the development of updated mobile apps for Halifax and Bank of Scotland, which form part of the group. A Lloyds Banking Group spokesperson told The Sun: "Most customers use our app as the easiest way to pay in a cheque, by taking a photo on their phone and letting us take care of the rest. "Very few customers are choosing to deposit cheques in at the Post Office." It is understood the bank will offer new support for those affected including a new freepost cheque deposit service. The majority of the nation's major high street banking brands still permit customers to deposit their cheques at local Post Office branches. These include Barclays, HSBC, NatWest, and Santander. However, several other high street names have discontinued this service, or never offered it in the first place. Building society Nationwide also does not allow customers to deposit cheques into current accounts via their local Post Office. The same goes for challenger banks including Monzo and Starling. How many branches has Lloyds Banking group closed? Customers are increasingly turning to online banking to manage their finances while banks and building societies look for ways to cut costs. Since 2022, UK bank branches have seen widespread closures, with Barclays leading the way with 397, followed by Lloyds Bank (308), NatWest (256), and Halifax (203), according to ATM operator LINK. Looking ahead, Lloyds Bank has announced plans to close an additional 46 branches starting from June 2025, while 52 Halifax branches are also set to shut their doors. In January, the banking giant also announced plans to enable customers to access services at any branch regardless of which brand they bank with. For example, this means that a Lloyds Bank customer will be able to access the same services when visiting Halifax and Bank of Scotland branches, and vice versa. What to 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 most 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 Many banks also 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.
Daily Record
14 hours ago
- General
- Daily Record
Award for popular postmaster who's been serving community in Livingston for 30 years
Iqbal Mohammed has run shops in the area since 1975 and took on the Post Office with his wife Zahida A popular postmaster who has been running shops in West Lothian for the last 50 years has received a special award for his service at the heart of the community. Iqbal Mohammed has been running Livingston Village Post Office for 30 years and to mark the milestone he was presented with a Long Service Award by Post Office Area Manager Brian McNaughton. Iqbal has run shops in the Livingston area since 1975 and the opportunity arose in 1995 to take on Livingston Village Post Office with his wife Zahida. The couple are very well known in the area. They modernised the newsagents and convenience store and Zahida worked on the retail side for most of that time, until she sadly she passed away in October. At first their eldest daughter Shazia worked in the family business and their younger daughter, Nadia, is also Post Office trained. They also employ local people. Iqbal will forever be grateful to former neighbours, John and Ella Gilbert who helped them greatly when they started. John had just retired as a long-serving postmaster in Armadale and really helped them to settle quickly into the role of running a Post Office with all of the required knowledge of products and services. Postmaster Iqbal Mohammed said: 'The best thing about being a postmaster is that I enjoy meeting people and everyone knows me. They cared when my wife died as Zahida had been a big part of this shop and we loved helping the community. 'We got to know people really well and we have enjoyed conversations and a laugh with customers. My wife would often give sweets to little kids coming into the shop. 'We managed to keep the Post Office and shop open throughout the pandemic, even though Zahida had underlying health conditions, as we wanted to maintain vital services to our village.' Post Office Area Manager, Brian McNaughton, said: 'I want to really thank Iqbal for being the postmaster for Livingston Village for the past three decades. He and his late wife, Zahida, who was also a lovely person, have been at the heart of this community and have enriched the lives of people living in the village for a long time as well as new people who have moved to the community with the extra housing built.'
BBC News
15 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Banking hub set to open in Rainham
A new banking hub is set to open in a Kent hub in Rainham will consist of a counter service operated by Post Office employees, where customers of any bank can withdraw and deposit cash, make bill payments and carry out regular banking Access UK, who will deliver the hub, is to consult with the local community over the next few weeks to find a suitable banks work on a rotating basis, so there will be staff from different banks available on different days, according to Local Democracy Reporting Service. In addition, there will be private spaces where customers can speak to community bankers from their own bank for more complicated matters that require specialist knowledge or privacy. Across the UK there are more than 226 banking hubs, with a further 150 planned to Rainham hub will be the fourth in Kent, with one open in Sheerness and two planned for Dover and Tonbridge. 'Face-to-face' The move follows a request from Naushabah Khan, MP for Gillingham and Rainham, to Link, the UK's main ATM Khan said: "The closing of NatWest last year removed a key local banking resource, and ever since constituents have consistently told me that Rainham desperately needs more in-person financial services."Dr Chris Ashton, chief commercial officer of Link, said: "While more people are choosing to bank and pay for things digitally, we know that many people still rely on cash and face-to-face banking."
Glasgow Times
19 hours ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Husband and wife duo retire from Glasgow Post Office after 30 years
Dilbag and Jatinder Sandhu officially retired from the Halfwayhouse branch on Paisley Road West in Cardonald on May 28. Over the past three decades, the couple – who worked as subpostmasters - ran three Post Office locations across the city, including one in Anderston and two in the Southside. Ahead of their retirement, Dilbag explained that they had 'enjoyed every moment'. Subpostmaster Dilbag Sandhu and his wife Jatinder pictured at their Post Office at 1577 Paisley Road West, Cardonald (Image: Colin Mearns) He went on to highlight the overwhelming kindness the family had received from the people of Cardonald over the last few decades. Dilbag said: 'The Post Office was like our second home. You get to see different people every day, you provide a service, and they respect you. 'I'm feeling very emotional about retiring. We have received so many cards, flowers, and chocolates. 'When I read the cards, I get a tear in my eye. My wife and I enjoyed every moment because the people are so nice, I can't explain it.' (Image: Colin Mearns) READ NEXT: Glasgow couple celebrate life-changing National Lottery win The duo first joined the Post Office in 1990 after previously running a grocery and off-sales store. During their time in the Southside, Dilbag completed four London Marathons, 10 half marathons in Glasgow, and multiple Great North Runs – raising thousands of pounds for charity. He explained that he was inspired to begin his running journey after a customer was diagnosed with cancer. Before this, Dilbag says he had never run in his life. (Image: Colin Mearns) He added: 'I had never run in my life, but suddenly it came to my mind because one of our customers had lung cancer and he was such a decent man. 'We used to visit him in the hospital from time to time, and I told him that I would run for him. That man supported me so much. 'That's where my running journey began. When I first took part in the London Marathon, every customer supported me, and we raised more than £1000 for a cancer charity. 'I was planning to fly to London on the Saturday as the event was on the Sunday, and there were four or five ladies who came to see me off and give me their blessings. 'This is something I cannot forget in my life.' READ NEXT: Glasgow's newest mural has the East End talking - here is why Dilbag also noted another one of the couple's favourite memories of working at their previous location on Lammermoor Avenue and what their retirement plans are. They had helped one of their regular customers celebrate her 100th birthday at the store. Dilbag commented: 'For a couple of years, there was a lady who used to come in and she would always give us motherly love. 'We would sometimes visit her at her house, and I told her that for her 100th birthday, we could celebrate at the Post Office. 'It was wonderful. We are very, very sad to be leaving. Several weeks ago, we had our first grandchild in 15 years, so we will go visit him. 'Then, after that, there are a few things to be done around the house. Once that is done we will plan further.'
BBC News
19 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Insolvency-hit Newcastle trust hands back community centres
Three community centres are to be handed back to a city council after the charity running them announced it was Newcastle Community Asset Trust (NCAT) managed community hubs in Fawdon, Cowgate, and Blakelaw, with the latter also housing a post office which had to temporarily charity blamed rising costs, reduced funding and the long-term impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic for its "painful" City Council confirmed all three centres would remain open and "accessible to tenants and residents as normal". The trust, which is entering insolvency, said the Blakelaw post office had to close on Friday.A Post Office spokesman said they did not know whether it would reopen, said the Local Democracy Reporting service. 'Upsetting news' A spokesman for NCAT said despite attempts, the charity had not been able to reverse "the long-term decline in our finances"."We appreciate this is very upsetting and not what anyone would want to hear, however we are working closely with Newcastle City Council to try to ensure continuity for the buildings and their users," they council said tenants renting spaces in the centres or running classes would be offered new agreements."We appreciate the importance of these buildings to local communities," a council spokesman said."We would like to reassure them we are doing everything we can to minimise disruption in the short term until the future of the buildings can be resolved." Follow BBC Newcastle on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
