http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26294010

I'm at the stage where I'd sooner phone up or walk in than go online. Apart from not using as many direct debits as I used to, I try to remember my log-in details, find the site's a friggin' shambles or just not working at all, never certain that the transaction I've made has actually worked... And some of the products you need to speak to someone to get clarification. I dread the annual 'try to earn interest on my savings' bout

The banks want to reduce their numbers of branches to 700 for each bank. The problem is that would mean many villages and parts of the country with out any access to a bank.

And?

Most people don't actually need a bank branch - they need a cash machine.

Cheques can be posted, cash deposits can be machine-counted, BACS payments can be done online by definition.

People who live in the country go to town once every couple of weeks - they're used to it. What really winds the rustics up are things like the extortionate fuel and food prices, low wages, arsehole grockles buying up all the housing stock for holiday homes plus the national parks authorities and local councils making everything anyone wants to do either expensive or impossible.

Not having a building to visit is rather secondary to not having any money or choices.

I agree with you on all counts but I am not able to use an ATM, I have not used one for more than 20 years. Yes you can do a lot online or on the phone, but not everyone can use those. I get most of my cash out via cash back when I get my groceries. Plus banks need to be able to see their clients to confirm that they are who they say they are.

In which case you won't be able to live in the countryside. Sorry but that's tough titty.

However, I dare say that most conditions that would make an ATM impossible would also make a small village impossible.


Utter bowlocks, frankly.

I established my identity when I got my passport, birth certificate and driving licence. Besides which, where do I visit if I join an online-only bank?

I presume you meant to type 'small village branch' there. Small villages are eminently possible.

It was more to do with opening accounts though as many online banks seemingly can do it without a branch.

I've historically always given cheques in person. A branch also makes it easy to withdraw Large amounts of cash eg £3000 in one go.