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<p>Post Office Limited already provides access to 95% of current accounts across the
counter at more than 11,500 Post Offices. This is in addition to the Post Office’s
own wide range of personal financial services, which includes three types of current
account. It also operates a network 2,500 ATMs which are free to use and part of the
LINK network, enabling withdrawals from a full range of current and other accounts;
many of these in rural and deprived areas.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Since 2010,
Post Office Ltd has reached agreement with RBS (including NatWest) and HSBC to allow
customers to access their current accounts at post office branches. Post Office Ltd
continue to engage with the one remaining high street bank (Santander) who have yet
to offer their customers this service.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Secretary
of State will be writing to the banks to ask them how they plan to ensure that the
banking needs of vulnerable consumers are met, particularly in areas facing branch
closures. He will also be encouraging them to give priority consideration to creating
or building on existing partnership arrangements with Post Office Limited, including
considering how to address any additional financial and operational burdens on the
Post Office.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>
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