A new super-ATM has been launched for Barclays, Halifax, Lloyds and other UK bank customers

New rules for ATM usage are being implemented in the UK, with a ‘super-ATM’ feature allowing deposits to be tested for multiple banks. Cash Access UK, an entity set up to tackle the lack of access to cash, has confirmed that additional ATMs will be trialled.

This is because numerous bank branches have closed nationwide. In recent news, residents of Nailsea, in North Somerset, have had to travel to Clevedon, Portishead or Bristol to visit their bank after the last, Lloyds in the Crown Glass shopping centre, closed in February this year.

However, local councilors took up the case and lobbied LINK bank chiefs to create a new banking hub there, which will give residents access to all the major banks under one roof. Similarly, this new ‘super-ATM’ will offer an innovative multi-bank automated deposit service.

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These advanced machines will not only offer standard services such as cash withdrawals and balance checks, but will also facilitate free cash deposits for Bank of Scotland, Barclays, Halifax, Lloyds, NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster customers Bank.

Gareth Oakley, Chief Executive of Cash Access UK, commented: “Access to ATMs that accept deposits is vital for cash-dependent British consumers who struggle to access basic banking services, and it is just as important that businesses that accept cash can bank it. the new service was only possible through the exceptional industry-wide collaboration of banks, LINK and leading ATM service providers.”

Martin McTague, national president of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), has expressed concern over the shrinking network of bank branches, highlighting the challenges small business owners face in depositing their daily earnings safely without having to close early or to travel long distances, Birmingham Live reports.

“The ability to deposit into a super-ATM that works for multiple banks is an important innovation and could make a real difference alongside the accelerated roll-out of banking centers and the maintenance of post offices.”

Since January 2015, 6,005 branches of banks and building societies have closed their doors, which is around 53 closures per month. This means that more than 60% of the branches operating at the beginning of 2015 are no longer open. These statistics include branches from 20 significant current account providers, as well as all other figures mentioned in this article.