In recent weeks, Wokingham Today has reported on the possibility of the town receiving a banking hub and our readers have responded, showing support for potential plans.
Former town councillor and mayor Lynn Forbes had applied for Wokingham to be granted a banking hub.
Despite initial indications suggesting that Wokingham would not qualify for a banking hub, it appears that may now have changed.
New rules are set to be introduced by the Financial Conduct Authority which means that the town’s needs for a banking hub can be assessed.
We asked our readers whether the town needs a banking hub and an overwhelming majority of 85& voted in favour.
Under the new rules it is expected that Wokingham will be one of the first towns to be assessed under the new rules with a senior community assessment manager from Link to visit the town later this month.
Nick Quin, head of financial inclusion at Link, told Wokingham Today: “Link assesses local cash access needs following the announcement of the closure of any bank branch.
“We are also pleased to receive requests from people who believe their high street requires additional cash services.
“We have recommended almost 150 banking hubs where bank branches have closed and where communities have told us about issues accessing cash.
“The FCA have recently published new rules which will come into force on September 18.
“We will publish new information about what those rules mean for how we assess locations at that point.
“We will assess requests we have received from people in Wokingham under those rules from September 18.
