Government to review access to in-person banking services - ACRE
Government to review access to in-person banking services 20 July 2026 A review of access to in-person banking services is under way, with the government keen to hear about the experiences of people living in rural areas. The call for evidence was made as part of a wider independent
Skip to contentFind ACRE in your countyDonateSupport with devolution and LGRAbout ACREOur missionOur Strategy 2025-30Our storyMeet the teamBoard membersVacanciesWhat we doRepresenting rural communitiesSupporting our networkSignificant projects, programmes & campaignsBrokering government investment in rural communitiesEnabling rural affordable housingRural Flood Resilience PartnershipSupport for village hallsVillage Halls Week 2026Publications and resourcesWho we work withThe ACRE NetworkFunders and partnersCorporate sponsorsRural CoalitionWork with usOur vision for rural communitiesCommunity-led revivalVibrant village hallsHomes people can affordWell served healthy placesA countryside where everyone thrivesAn economy that works for allAction on climate changeConnected communitiesDiversity and inclusionA fair deal for rural communitiesIn your areaNewsNewsBlogs01285 653477Email UsAbout ACREOur missionOur Strategy 2025-30Our storyMeet the teamBoard membersVacanciesWhat we doRepresenting rural communitiesSupporting our networkSignificant projects, programmes & campaignsBrokering government investment in rural communitiesEnabling rural affordable housingRural Flood Resilience PartnershipSupport for village hallsVillage Halls Week 2026Publications and resourcesWho we work withThe ACRE NetworkFunders and partnersCorporate sponsorsRural CoalitionWork with usOur vision for rural communitiesCommunity-led revivalVibrant village hallsHomes people can affordWell served healthy placesA countryside where everyone thrivesAn economy that works for allAction on climate changeConnected communitiesDiversity and inclusionA fair deal for rural communitiesIn your areaNewsNewsBlogsGovernment to review access to in-person banking servicesGovernment to review accessto in-person banking servicesA review of access to in-person banking services is under way, with the government keen to hear about the experiences of people living in rural areas. The call for evidence was made as part of a wider independent review, which aims to determine whether the decline of physical banking as a whole has had a negative impact on customers. Creating a more level playing field when it comes to accessing essential services is one of the key themes of ACRE’s five-year strategy for enabling rural communities to thrive. Richard Lloyd OBE, a former director at consumer group Which?, has been appointed by the government to oversee the review and deliver a report of its findings. He said: “Banking is an essential service needed by every consumer, community and business in the UK. “The Access to Banking Review wants to gather the best possible up-to-date evidence of the challenges faced by those who need in-person banking services. “This evidence will help to establish the impact of changing services, identify who is most affected, and underpin our assessment of what further action may be required. ”A 2024 report by the Financial Conduct Authorityshowed that approximately 64 per cent of the country’s rural population did not have a bank or building society within three miles of their address, making access to in-person financial services out-of-reach for thousands of people. Evidence gathered as part of the review, including that which has come from rural sources, will be used to assess customer needs, understand the level of detriment and identify recommendations for change. The initial findings are expected in October, and ACRE hopes there will be actions and recommendations that specifically address the concerns of the country’s rural population. Shaun Dix2026-07-20T15:01:53+00:00Address for routine correspondence:ACRE, PO Box No. 7195Shipston on Stour, Warwickshire, CV37 1XYRegistered address:2nd Floor, South, One Castle Park, Tower Hill, Bristol BS2 0JAMedia enquiries:media@acre. org. uk© 2026 • ACRE. All rights reserved. Registered Charity No: 1061568 Company Limited by Guarantee No: 3336101 VAT No: 477763003Website byFishVanPage load link