Where to do your banking if your local bank shuts down (2024)

Where to do your banking if your local bank shuts down (6)

Over 600 bank branches that were open at the start of the year are due to close by the end of December, according to the Financial Times (FT).

Another 42 are pencilled in for closure in 2024.

The FT analysed data from ATM provider Link and found nearly three fifths of banks have disappeared since 2015.

So what do you do if your local bank has closed down? Find out where you can withdraw cash, deposit cheques, manage your payments and get face-to-face advice from someone from your bank.

The Post Office

Customers of nearly all banks, including Barclays, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest and Santander, can go to any of the Post Office’s 11,500 branches to:

  • withdraw or deposit cash
  • deposit a cheque
  • check their balance

Go to the Post Office website and select your bank from the dropdown list to see what options are available to you.

Where to do your banking if your local bank shuts down (7)

Banking hubs

This is an initiative set up to fill the gap left by the widespread closure of local banks across the UK.

Under the scheme, several banks all operate from the same building. You can go there to speak to someone from your bank and manage payments like Direct Debits.

You can also withdraw and deposit cash from a banking hub, regardless of who you bank with.

Banking hubs work on a rota basis. This means staff from different banks will be there on different days.

The banks currently taking part in the banking hub scheme are:

  • Bank of Ireland UK
  • Barclays
  • Danske Bank
  • HSBC
  • Lloyds
  • Nationwide Building Society
  • NatWest
  • Santander
  • TSB
  • Virgin Money

Find out if there’s a banking hub near you. There are currently eight banking hubs across the UK, with plans to open another 60 in the near future.

Where to do your banking if your local bank shuts down (8)

Mobile and pop-up banks

Many of the big players - including Barclays, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest, RBS and TSB - also offer mobile or pop-up banks. These are typically there to give face-to-face advice and don’t usually offer cash or counter services.

To find out more, go to your bank’s website.

Where to do your banking if your local bank shuts down (9)

Cash machines (ATMs)

If you just want to withdraw cash, the easiest option is probably a free ATM.

UseLink’s free cash locator to find the one nearest to you.

Where to do your banking if your local bank shuts down (10)

Your local shop

Over 1,000 local shops offer a cashback without purchase scheme. You can withdraw anything from 1p to £50 without buying anything. Most shops don’t charge a fee but they can, so check first.

To find your nearest shop offering this service, use Link’s free cash locator.

Where to do your banking if your local bank shuts down (11)

Online banking

If it’s an option for you, online banking or banking through an app on your phone can make life a lot easier.

It allows you to carry out a whole range of banking from the comfort of your own home or while you’re on the go. Services include:

  • managing payments, like Direct Debits
  • depositing cheques
  • transferring money
  • applying for credit cards, loans and savings accounts

Visit your bank’s website to find out what online services they offer.

Where to do your banking if your local bank shuts down (12)

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Where to do your banking if your local bank shuts down (2024)

FAQs

Where to do your banking if your local bank shuts down? ›

If your bank closes, you should receive notification of what will happen to your money from the FDIC or NCUA, the acquiring bank or both. You'll automatically have an account at the new bank, or the FDIC or NCUA will issue you a payment returning your funds.

What to do if your bank closes down? ›

If your bank closes, you should receive notification of what will happen to your money from the FDIC or NCUA, the acquiring bank or both. You'll automatically have an account at the new bank, or the FDIC or NCUA will issue you a payment returning your funds.

What happens to my bank account if the bank closes? ›

Debits will be blocked and deposits won't make it in. You'll get your money back (usually). You may receive a check in the mail for the remaining balance, unless the bank suspects terrorism or other illegal activities. You can also go to a branch and receive a cashier's check for the account balance.

What do I do if my bank branch closes? ›

Switch to a new account

If your local branch closes but you want to continue managing your finances in person, you could consider switching your current and/or savings account to another bank or building society with a branch in your local area.

What happens to my money if the banks collapse? ›

Bottom line. For the most part, if you keep your money at an institution that's FDIC-insured, your money is safe — at least up to $250,000 in accounts at the failing institution. You're guaranteed that $250,000, and if the bank is acquired, even amounts over the limit may be smoothly transferred to the new bank.

What happens if bank is closed? ›

Well, in case a bank collapses, the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), under the guidelines of the Reserve Bank, provides insurance cover on the deposits of customers under this rule.

Is your money safe if a bank closes? ›

As long as you do business with an FDIC-insured institution and keep less than $250,000 per account ownership category, your funds will be safe if your bank fails. However, you might face some minor inconveniences, such as waiting for a new debit card or updating your automatic payments.

Can you open a bank account if another bank closes your account? ›

You'll have to open a new bank account with your institution or bank somewhere else. Some banks have second chance bank accounts, which allow you to open a bank account regardless of whether you have a negative banking history. Second chance banking can be a way to rebuild banking relationships after a closure.

Can a bank deny you access to your money? ›

Banks may freeze bank accounts if they suspect illegal activity such as money laundering, terrorist financing, or writing bad checks.

Can banks stop you from withdrawing money? ›

By setting withdrawal limits, the bank can control how much they have to distribute at any given time. Just as importantly, if not more so, withdrawal limits are a security feature. By limiting daily withdrawals, banks help protect their customers against unauthorized access.

How to withdraw money from ATM with no money in account? ›

If you choose to opt in to debit card and ATM overdraft, you are usually allowed to make ATM withdrawals and debit card purchases even if you do not have enough funds at the time of the transaction. However, you will generally incur fees on transactions that settle against a negative balance later.

Can you transfer money out of a closed bank account? ›

Often, if a financial institution receives a request for transfer and doesn't have an account with a matching account number, or the account has been closed, the transfer will be declined. No money will be exchanged. The funds will remain with the sender.

What do you do if your bank closes down? ›

Steps to take after a bank failure

If a bank fails, the FDIC is in charge of managing its assets. You'll have to wait until your money is moved to another FDIC-insured bank or mailed to you as a check in order to have access to it.

What happens to my account when a bank closes? ›

Once your account is closed, you will lose access to any funds in that account. It's essential to communicate with the bank to transfer any remaining funds to another account swiftly. Depending on the reason for this closure, the bank can release or freeze your money to investigate potential fraud.

How to deposit money when the bank is closed? ›

ATM Deposits

If you'd prefer not to go into a branch or it is after hours, you can also deposit cash and checks via an Automated Teller Machine, also called an ATM. To do so, you will need to find an ATM within your bank's network or a participating network that accepts deposits.

Where to put money when banks fail? ›

1. Federal Bonds. The U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve (Fed) would be more than happy to take your funds and issue you securities in return. A U.S. government bond still qualifies in most textbooks as a risk-free security.

What happens if FDIC runs out of money? ›

Still, the FDIC itself doesn't have unlimited money. If enough banks flounder at once, it could deplete the fund that backstops deposits. However, experts say even in that event, bank patrons shouldn't worry about losing their FDIC-insured money.

Can I still deposit money if the bank is closed? ›

Closed as in Out Of Business or closed is in after regular hours? If the bank is out of business you will not be able to make deposit and withdrawals. If the bank is still in business you can use the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) to make deposits and withdrawals after hours.

What happens to a fixed deposit if the bank closes? ›

The bank deposits are insured by Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), a subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India. The agency does not directly charge any premium from bank depositors but banks pay a nominal premium for the cover. This deposit guarantee can be released only if the bank gets closed.

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