The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire has announced funding to help tackle the growing problem of “banking deserts” in communities across the county.
Communities are being invited to bid for a new fund designed to improve access to banking services.
The move follows years of bank closures which have left numerous communities without a single high street branch.
Stokesley recently secured a new banking hub following a successful community campaign after all its banks closed.
Cash access company LINK reversed an earlier decision after reviewing local evidence and confirmed the town would receive a shared banking hub offering cash withdrawals, deposits, bill payments and face-to-face banking support for customers of all major banks.
The hub will become the fifth in North Yorkshire, joining existing facilities in Filey, Knaresborough, Richmond and Whitby.
Meanwhile, residents in Leyburn recently lost access to Barclays’ community banking service at Thornborough Hall after the bank and Leyburn Town Council failed to agree terms for a new licence.
The council said Barclays’ conditions for continuing the arrangement were too restrictive, despite attempts to reach a compromise.
The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, said the fund had been launched to tackle the problem of “banking deserts”.
He added: “Having access to banking services is still incredibly important for many people, businesses and communities across York and North Yorkshire.
“The continued closure of bank branches has left many residents with fewer options for managing their finances, while local businesses still need access to face-to-face banking services to operate effectively.
“Keeping these services available isn’t just about banking – it’s about supporting local businesses, helping our high streets succeed, and making sure our communities can continue to thrive.”
The fund is targeted at locations where evidence shows the greatest need, including Bentham, Catterick Garrison and Colburn, Filey, Haxby, Leyburn, Settle, Tadcaster and Whitby.
Applications to the new fund are open to individual organisations and partnerships, with collaboration between financial service providers and community organisations strongly encouraged.
Projects offering wider community benefits, such as financial well-being support and business engagement activities, are also encouraged.
Applications close on September 30, 2026.
Visit https://yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk/project/access-to-banking/ for more information.
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