'Bank branches are vital. Banks must protect all customers and scrap further closures' writes Jessica Sheldon
Thousands of bank branches have closed over the past decade
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I paid in a cheque the other week, for the first time in years.
It's rare I come across a cheque at all these days, with businesses and loved ones tending to prefer bank transfers in the event money is owed.
Not wanting to go out of my way to my nearest bank, I held onto it for a few days until I happened to pass an open branch.
I knew I could have deposited the cheque via mobile or online banking, but I've written so much about bank branch closures, I was determined to put my money where my mouth is, and bank in-person.
Passing a branch where I held an account, I popped in and was delighted to find a friendly face at the counter.
I simply handed over the cheque and the necessary details, and within minutes, the money was showing up on my statement.
Totally hassle free. Incredible.
It's rare I come across a cheque at all these days, GB News' Digital Finance Editor Jessica Sheldon writes
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As I was packing away the paperwork, I remembered I had long been meaning to write to them regarding a minor issue with an account.
I'd been trying to solve it via online and mobile banking ages ago but to no avail. When I had phoned the provider up, I was told I'd have to send a letter to the head office, which I'd never got round to doing.
I mentioned it to the staff member, and once again, she solved the matter in a jiffy.
In all honesty, I don't think I'd have ever sorted it out, had it not been possible to pop into the branch.
I do see the merits of online and mobile banking: I've seen how it can help people engage with their savings, build good financial habits, and benefit from the best interest rates.
But in-person banking has a wealth of benefits too.
We need both options.
Sadly though, I don't think we will realise just how important bank branches are until it's too late.
We've already lost thousands of branches over the past decade, and far too many towns are now branchless.
In the whole of the Peak District, there now isn't a single bank branch left.
And more branch closures are to come this year.
I think supporting both digital and physical banking protects all customers.
It means if there's an IT outage, we can still carry out vital transactions.
I imagine operating bank branches will be expensive. But whether it's buying food or paying our rent and bills, we use money every day.
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There is no doubt about it, banking is an essential service.
We can't afford to put all our eggs in one basket by shifting banking online and shutting down even more bank branches.
We've seen banking apps go down many times before, so we mustn't rely solely on our phones and laptops for something this important.
Banks will be well aware of how diversification can help in managing risk.
I think the same principle applies to banking services. They must offer a broad portfolio of ways to bank, so if there's a problem with one service, there are other ways to access our money.
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