A suitable property for the hub has now been identified in the town by Cash Access UK, with its opening expected before January 2026, although the location has not yet been revealed.
The not-for-profit organisation is funded by major high street banks. And it provides cash and banking services in communities across the country.
As soon as Bank of Scotland announced they would be closing their Annan High Street branch the organisation sprang into action.
Lesley Wilson is the regional manager for the west of Scotland and Northern Ireland at Cash Access UK.
She explained how major banks are leaving the high street, even though five to six million people in the UK continue to rely on cash and face to face banking.
Hubs offer a counter service, operated by the Post Office, where customers can carry out cash transactions Monday to Friday.
There will also be a community banker service allowing customers to deal directly with their own bank on more complicated issues.
Lesley said: “They (community bankers) will be there on that day to help you with more complicated matters face to face.
“Our community banker rotas are based on the market share of the community. Up here you will have your TSB, Virgin, RBS and Bank of Scotland.
“If they can’t help you directly (in the hub) they will put you through to a call centre or help you do it online.”
At the banking hub you will be able to withdraw cash; deposit cash and cheques; make balance enquiries; access change-giving services (for businesses); pay utility bills; and talk to a community banker from your own bank. Personal and businesses customers will be able to use the facility.
Lesley noted that the innovations team at Cash Access UK is constantly looking at ways to improve services.
This means that in the future the hub could have extended opening hours, be equipped to deal with more complicated banking issues and have a night safe – something which is currently not in the plans.
On the future outlook, Lesley added: “We have to be up and running before January next year.
“We are not allowed to share, before the lease is signed, what property we have got. But we have identified a property in town.
“Once the lease is signed we can then put out our plan of works and work from there.
“At the moment we are taking our leases for a minimum of ten years.
“It doesn’t matter about footfall. It’s very much on how we can increase services for the community.”
