Responding to UK Finance’s launch of the Community Access to Cash Initiative, Chris Hemsley, Managing Director of the Payment Systems Regulator says:

"Last week, I set out the benefits of working towards a comprehensive community engagement scheme that would apply across the UK and allow local communities to raise problems with access to cash. With the launch of UK Finance’s latest initiative, we can see the first steps taking shape. 

"It is really important that banks and payment providers are guided by the needs of their customers, many of whom still rely on cash. This is essential if they are to serve the diverse needs of communities throughout the UK.  

"We look forward to understanding what can be learnt from this work and how that can inform the way such schemes can operate in future and how the industry can offer ways for everyone to access cash via routes other than ATMs."