A pilot initiative aimed at providing a banking presence in a Lanarkshire town will continue for at least another 18 months
The BankHUB on Cambuslang Main Street was originally scheduled to run into October, but will now last until April 2023.
The project was launched earlier this year after years of locals in the town saying they needed a bank at the heart of the community, after all three banks previously in the area closed in quick succession around 2017.
The hub was set up by the Access to Cash Action Group, who also launched one in Rochford in England at the same time, with the intention of combating problems generated by a lack of banks in smaller areas.
Cambuslang Community Council, coordinates the Cambuslang BankHUB and have championed the project, stated they were delighted at the news.
Their chairman, John Bachtler, said: “This is fantastic news for the Cambuslang BankHUB and the local community.
"Residents and businesses will be delighted that the BankHUB model is being extended for at least another 18 months.
"Within a few months, the Cambuslang BankHUB has already proved that the model is very successful, providing a much-needed service to hundreds of local customers every week.
"We are proud to that Cambuslang has been piloting a model that has drawn interest from politicians across Scotland and has implications for other unbanked communities across the country."
Since the two projects were launched it is estimated they have served over 12,000 customers, particularly elderly people.
A key aim of the initiative is to help those, such as the elderly or those with financial difficulties, by providing them with face to face banking rather than forcing them to use online services or to have to travel.
Natalie Ceeney CBE, independent Chair of the Access to Cash Action Group added: "We can already see the positive role the Hubs are playing in revitalising these local communities – providing essential banking services for individuals as well as a boost for local businesses.
"Extending the pilots gives us more opportunity to really understand what works for people, and what role services like these could play in the future.
"These are early steps, and over the coming months the Group will explore a wide range of options to protect access to cash."
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