Access to Banking Standard
The Standard was designed to ensure that customers affected by branch closures receive sufficient communication and clarity on the reasons for the closure and adequate support in accessing alternative banking services.
The Lending Standards Board provided oversight of the Standard until 31 March 2023 to ensure that the requirements were being implemented by the firms signed up to it.
Following recommendations made by the Lending Standards Board on December 2021, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) updated its guidance on branch closures in a way that built on the good practice set out in the Standard. As a result of the FCA enhancing its guidance and oversight of branch closures, the LSB has now wound down its oversight of the Standard.
You can find the FCA’s guidance on branch closures here.
You can find any of our previous publications relating to the Access to Banking Standard here.
