Access to Banking

Access to banking services and cash has been undergoing rapid change. Bank branch closures in recent years have been widespread as digital banking has become the default for many consumers. While this shift brings convenience for some, it presents significant challenges for places and people who continue to rely on physical access to banking and cash.

Across York and North Yorkshire, these changes are having a tangible impact on communities, particularly in our rural areas and small market towns, and on those people who are more reliant on cash and face-to-face banking support. Many are now required to travel further to carry out basic banking activities. Reduced access to cash and in‑person services risks increasing financial exclusion and undermining community resilience.

In addition, the withdrawal of banks from the high street is having a major impact on small independent businesses. Many small businesses continue to rely on cash transactions, regular deposits, and accessible banking services to operate efficiently.

As branches close, this can have knock on impacts such as reduced high street footfall, posing significant challenges for the sustainability of businesses on our high streets.

This fund seeks to respond to these challenges by using access to banking and cash services as a catalyst for high street regeneration. We are seeking long term proposals which reintroduce or enhance physical banking provision in ways that actively contribute to vibrant, inclusive and sustainable high streets.

Fund Objectives

By supporting improved access to locally based banking services, the programme aims to attract regular, repeat visits to high street locations as individuals and businesses carry out routine banking transactions. These visits would increase footfall and encourage people to spend longer in town centres and engage with local businesses. As a result, we aim to encourage increased spending within the local economy, supporting the sustainability and growth of high street businesses.

Over time, this will contribute to improved high street vitality and viability, helping to reduce vacancy rates, strengthen business confidence, and support a more resilient and thriving local economy.

Core Objectives

Achieve one of more of the following:

Improve access to cash deposits and cash withdrawals

Improve access to business banking services including cash and coin deposits

Improve access to current account management and transactions

Secondary Objectives

These objectives are secondary to the core objectives. Projects which must achieve one of the core objectives, with any secondary objectives seen favourably as added value.

Improve access to 1:1 advice on topics such as financial wellbeing, business banking, fraud support, mortgages and investments

Community added value initiatives such as community wealth building activities, local campaigns (e.g. save and spend local), business engagement, community room hire, or environmental or social value schemes

Support collaborative delivery models, including partnerships where a lead applicant delivers services in collaboration with community groups or third‑party organisations to extend reach and accessibility

Fund Outputs and Outcomes

Primary Outputs

Number of users (deposits and withdrawals)– personal banking (monthly)
Number of transactions (deposits and withdrawals)– personal banking (monthly)
Number of regular users (at least monthly) - personal users

Number of users (deposits)– business banking (weekly)
Number of transactions (deposits)– business banking (weekly)
Number of SMEs using the service regularly (weekly)

Number of hours per week of banking services provided
Number of pop‑up or part‑time service days delivered

Secondary Outputs

Number of users accessing 1:1 advice or support

Number of users switching from branches outside of YNY

Number of vacant high street units repurposed

Outcomes

Reduction in average and median journey time to nearest face‑to‑face banking service (minutes)

Number of settlements or communities brought within a 20-minute catchment of physical banking services

Increase in footfall on the high street

Number of people reporting perceived improved access to banking services

Key Locations

This grant programme is targeted at priority areas where evidence shows the greatest need and where funding will be likely to have the greatest impact. This is based on existing provision, population size, distance to travel to nearest bank branch, and number of SMEs:

Priority 1 locations

Bentham, Catterick Garrison & Colburn, Filey, Haxby, Leyburn, Settle, Tadcaster, Whitby.

Priority 2 locations

Acomb, Bedale, Boroughbridge, Easingwold, Hawes, Kirkbymoorside, Knaresborough, Malton & Norton, Northallerton, Pateley Bridge, Pickering, Richmond, Ripon, Selby, Sherburn in Elmet, Skipton, Stokesley, Thirsk

Priority 3 locations

Grassington, Helmsley, Ingleton, Masham, South Craven

Priority 4 locations

Harrogate, Scarborough, York.

At this time, grants for activity in Priority 4 locations are not being considered within the programme..

Funding Details

How much funding is available?

Individual grants of between £30k and £400k will be available, inclusive of VAT. There is approximately £1.2m available in total.

Projects can be capital or revenue, or a mixture of both.

Match Funding Requirements

The level of match will depend on the total cost of the project. You will need to detail the full cost of your project in your application.

If your Total Project Cost is between £30,000 and £50,000, this programme can fund up to 100% of total project costs 

If your Total Project Cost is between £50,0001 and £100,000, this programme can fund up to 90% of total project costs 

If your Total Project Cost is over £100,000, this programme can fund up to 80% of total project costs, up to a limit of £400,000 

Match funding can be used towards any aspect of your total project cost.

What sort of projects will this fund support?

Introducing a new service provision in a new location on the high street

Introducing a new service provision in an existing building society or credit union

Introducing a new service provision co-located within an existing community or high street building

Running part time or pop-up services

This fund aims to support tangible activity to support the improvement of access to physical banking services. Feasibility only or business case development work will not be considered within this programme.

Long term sustainability is a fundamental principle of this fund. We are seeking to invest in solutions which deliver lasting change. Projects will need to commit to a 3-year initial period of operation and demonstrate a clear and credible plan for how services will continue beyond the funding period.

Eligible expenditure

Capital expenditure relating to the refurbishment of buildings

Building or room rental costs

Staffing costs

Purchase or hire of hardware and services

Ineligible expenditure

Subsidising activity which already takes place on that high street

Purchase of buildings

Project contingency

Key Applicant Information

Eligible Applicants

Individual organisations or partnerships are welcome to apply. Partnership applications, particularly those that bring together financial service providers and community‑based organisations, are strongly encouraged.

If you are applying on behalf of a partnership, you will need to nominate a lead partner to complete the application process and enter into a grant funding process with us.

Local Partnerships

Community groups

Charities

Business Improvement Districts

Public bodies

Building societies and credit unions

Post offices

Other Key Points

For capital schemes, we would ask for a commitment to run services for at least 3 years

Where Business Improvement Districts apply, they must evidence how their proposal supports non-members as well as levy paying members

Applicants do not need to be based within York and North Yorkshire, but all activity must take place within the region

Applicants may submit more than one application for projects in different locations, or one application covering multiple areas

Where applications involve third‑party delivery, the fund will expect clear governance and accountability arrangements led by the nominated lead applicant.