2026: The Year High Street Banking Gets Reimagined

As we step into 2026, the contrast between Britain's banking landscape and what it could be has never been starker. Traditional banks continue to close branches at an alarming rate, banking hubs struggle to keep pace with demand, and millions of people remain underserved. But this year, something different is happening: banxlocal is preparing to open its first branch and prove that there's a better way forward. 

Why 2026 Marks a Turning Point 

The timing of our launch isn't coincidental—it's essential. Recent announcements show that the branch closure trend shows no signs of stopping. September 2025 alone saw 26 more NatWest branches close, following dozens earlier in the year. By some estimates, we're approaching a point where certain regions will have no bank branches at all. 

Parliamentary debates throughout 2025 have made it clear that this isn't just about inconvenience—it's about fundamental access to the financial system. Data presented to Parliament shows that communities from Newbiggin-by-the-Sea to the Tyne valley are experiencing real hardship, with elderly and vulnerable residents as well as rural businesses particularly affected. 

The government has responded with commitments to expand banking hubs, with Post Office securing a five-year agreement starting January 2026 to operate up to 350 hubs. The 200th banking hub opened in Billericay in late 2025, and new locations like Morecambe are coming online. These are positive steps, but they address only basic cash access—not the full spectrum of banking services that communities need. 

Final Preparations for Our First Branch 

As we enter the final phase of preparation for our inaugural branch, every element of our model is designed to address the gaps that existing solutions leave unfilled: 

Our Core Banking System is now in final integration testing, connecting via REST APIs to multiple partner banks and building societies. This infrastructure allows us to offer something unprecedented: genuine multi-bank services under one roof, not just basic cash transactions. 

The branch layout combines the efficiency of modern self-service technology with the reassurance of face-to-face support. Customers will find interactive kiosks for routine transactions, private video booths for consultations with specialist bank representatives, and live displays showing real-time savings rates from multiple providers—making price comparison as easy as walking through the door. 

Our super app is in beta testing and will launch shortly after the branch opens, allowing customers to seamlessly move between digital and physical banking. The app won't just be another banking interface—it will be a marketplace where users can compare and access products from multiple providers, bringing genuine competition and choice to every transaction. 

Learning from the Current Landscape 

The retail banking transformation of 2025 has taught us valuable lessons. We've watched as challenger banks gained 60% market share in SME lending, proving that innovation and customer service can overcome the advantages of incumbent players. We've seen evidence from Brixham and Rochford showing that when banking services return to a community, nearly half of local businesses report increased footfall, and 30% of residents visit their town center more frequently. 

We've also learned what doesn't work. Banking hubs, while valuable, operate only Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm—hours that don't serve shift workers, busy parents, or business owners who need weekend access. They provide rotating access to community bankers, meaning you might have to wait days to speak with someone from your specific bank. And they're limited to the banks with the most customers in an area, perpetuating rather than challenging market concentration.

A Commitment to Financial Inclusion

Our founding principle remains unchanged: financial inclusion is a fundamental right, not a privilege. This drives every decision we make, from accessibility features in our branch design to ensuring our services remain affordable and our guidance remains impartial. 

We're particularly focused on serving the 20 million people who are underserved by the current financial system. This includes those with limited digital skills who need patient, in-person support; those with disabilities who require accessible facilities; younger people who have only ever known online banking but need guidance on major financial decisions; and the countless others who simply prefer the security and reassurance of face-to-face banking. 

Join Us on This Journey 

Over 300 banks are registered in the UK, yet most people have meaningful access to perhaps five or six. This concentration has left communities vulnerable to individual banks' commercial decisions. Our model breaks this pattern by making dozens of financial providers accessible through a single local branch. 

As we finalize our first location and prepare to welcome our first customers in the coming months, we invite everyone who believes in the importance of local, accessible, inclusive banking to follow our progress. Join our waitlist at banxlocal.uk to be among the first to experience this new model of banking. 

The future of high street banking isn't about preserving the past or abandoning it entirely for digital-only services. It's about building something better—something that combines the best of both worlds while ensuring nobody gets left behind. 

2026 is the year we make that vision a reality. Welcome to banxlocal.