New Banking Kiosk in Market Harborough

The Chair of Harborough District Council, Councillor Peter Elliott, officially opened a new banking kiosk at Market Harborough Building Society’s (MHBS) branch on The Square.

The facility is helping to bring banking services back to the high street following a number of bank closures in recent years.

The OneBanx kiosk will provide local people and businesses with a range of important services that were lost after Barclays, NatWest and HSBC all closed their branches in the town last year.

According to Which?*, high street banks in the UK have been closing at a rate of 53 a month since 2015.

The free service, provided by the Society and OneBanx, a GLORY company, will allow customers of any bank to deposit and withdraw cash including coins. Higher deposit values are available if customers link their accounts to the Open Banking service.

Councillor Elliott said “It’s encouraging to see banking services being brought back to the high street and that residents’ needs are being taken into account. It’s so important that Harborough residents and businesses have consistent access to banking facilities and this will be a significant fixture for our thriving town centre.”

Iain Kirkpatrick, Chief Executive from MHBS said, “We know our branches are invaluable to many customers – especially to local businesses which need to deposit takings and the more vulnerable members of society, so this is a significant step in helping people to manage their money and overcome the problems caused by the loss of traditional high street banking.

“We fully expect the kiosk to be in demand by all kinds of people and we are very proud that we are the first organisation in the entire Midlands region to have been able to provide one. It’s just one of the ways that we’re giving back to the community as part of our Thrive Agenda.”

Javed Anjum, CEO of OneBanx said “By teaming up, OneBanx and MHBS combine modern convenience with a deep commitment to local community. Together, we have created an accessible and inclusive space where customers have reassurance of in-person support when they need it.

“As the original provider of multi-bank, cash transaction services in the UK since 2020, we have already powered substantial volumes of cash for thousands of UK consumers and businesses – and we are constantly innovating to meet the growing needs of UK financial institutions.”

The new kiosk is part of the Society’s Thrive! Agenda – a promise to continually stand up for what matters most and help make a difference. MHBS was established with the primary purpose of allowing people in working communities to save and borrow so they could get the home they wanted and support their families, so Thrive! is very purposefully aligned with the ambitions of its founders.

Recent projects have included significant donations to local foodbanks and a £2.2 million affordable housing programme that has seen seven families in need move into safe, warm new homes in Lutterworth and Market Harborough. The Society also offers free meeting space to local clubs, groups and societies at its brand new office at The Point on Rockingham Road.

MHBS has six branches across Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. The new kiosk will be available at the Market Harborough branch on The Square, open 9.30am to 3pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 12pm on Saturday. Further details can be found at www.mhbs.co.uk.