When the doors of the 100th bank branch opened – is it in your next town to get one?

There are now 100 bank branches across the country in a major milestone for Cash Access UK.

Today Darwen in Lancashire and Morriston in Wales are the latest towns to receive a grant, representing number 99 and 100 respectively.

Darwen was recommended an office by the ATM-network Connect following a community appeal following the closure of bank branches in the town.

This week, Cash Access UK – the not-for-profit organization that runs cashiers – opened five new offices in Harpenden, Yeadon, Huntly and – today – Darwen, and Morriston.

Labor has promised 350 financial institutions by the end of Parliament. With 100 offices now open, Postmaster General Neil Brocklehurst said ‘we are on track to meet the Government’s target.’

It takes about a year to set up a finance office, and most of this time is spent looking for a new office space.

Link conducts community assessments following an announcement of the closure of a high street bank, a significant change in hours or services provided, or at the request of a community member.

Link recommends new financial institutions or financial services, offered by Cash Access UK, by banks.

Currently, 176 financial institutions have been identified and 126 financial services. Cash Access UK will today approve 100 financial services that will be live by the end of the year.

There are many other cities around the country that can arrange to receive a bank loan on their main street. In September, Link recommended opening financial offices in 15 cities.

In the past, the cities that were branches of the Motu were the last branch that did not have the opportunity to get a bank facility. But the rules changed in September and cities where the last branch of the city is a Motu can also receive a bank loan.

This is why financial analysis can show that 19 other cities meet the criteria to be designated as bank offices, because there is only one bank in the city.

It means cities like this Windsor in Royal Barkshire, the only branch left in the town is the Nationwide Building SocietyIt may involve getting a financial institution.

Other towns that will benefit from the offices include Glastonbury in Somerset, Lampater in Wales and Alloa in Scotland.

Town has only one bank branch

• Hello
• Campbelltown
• Ilkley
• Glastonbury
• Windsor
• Leather head
• Leigh-on-Sea
• Lighthouse
• Pocklington
• Dagenham
• Great
• Cardigan
• Guisborough
• March
• Melksham
• Pontypool
• Whitstable
• Dictionary
• Chepstow

Dorking has been on this list before, but was recommended as a bank by Link yesterday.

Bank offices are traditional counter services operated by the Post Office, and community banks from nine high street banks are working tirelessly to support customers with their banking needs.

While financial services allow small businesses to deposit and access funds through ATMs or Post Offices, there are separate counters for bank customers.

And they are popular with residents of cities without funds.

In Brixham in Devon and Rochford in Essex, the towns where some of the first branches were opened – three in 10 people said they would visit and spend money on the local high street because of the office, a study by Cash Access UK found.

Gareth Oakley, Chief Executive of Cash Access UK, said: ‘Our offices are so popular that they show how important access to cash and financial services is for millions of people across the UK, although many people choosing to bank and pay virtually.’