Cash machine

Banks and building societies will face fines if they fail to protect consumers' free access to cash under new powers being given to the financial regulator. 

Seven 'banking hubs' are now up and running in the UK, after the latest opened in Carnoustie in Scotland this week – and four more locations have been announced today (Wednesday 12 July). 

Thousands more local businesses across the UK will now let shoppers withdraw from 1p to £100 in cash for free – without them having to buy anything – as part of a new initiative by high street bank Barclays. And you DON'T need to bank with Barclays to benefit.

New powers will be given to the financial regulator allowing it to fine banks that fail to protect consumers' access to cash. Here's what's happening. 

An estimated 10 million people would struggle to cope if the UK was to go completely cashless, according to a new report, which comes as bank branch closures escalate and calls grow for the financial regulator to safeguard access to cash.

Almost a third of free-to-use ATMs at Post Office branches will be shut over the next 18 months, with around 600 set to close by March 2022.

With free cash machines disappearing, there's a handy tool to let you find nearby ATMs where you can withdraw cash for free – and it'll now also show you thousands of Post Office branches where you can take cash out over the counter.

Almost 1,700 free ATMs have started charging for cash withdrawals between January and March this year, with 1,250 becoming fee-paying in March alone.