Citizens Advice Scotland has launched a new report entitled ‘Holding to Account: recommendations for improving access to banking Services’.
It says that the ultimate form of financial exclusion in modern society is not having access to a bank account. Without a bank account, people’s ability to fully engage in society, financially or otherwise is severely impacted.
The Financial Conduct Authority estimates that there are 1.1 million individuals in the UK who do not have access to a bank account, and Scotland has one of the highest rates of people without an account compared to other parts of the rest of the UK.
The new Citizens Advice Scotland report examines the practicalities and implications of being without a bank account, which groups are particularly affected, and the solutions and lessons we can learn from others to tackle this financial exclusion.
The Citizens Advice Scotland network have consistently highlighted this matter, and the report seeks to dig into this issue and find practical and tangible solutions to deal with this problem head on.
Citizens Advice Scotland is keen to work with decision-makers and stakeholders to adopt our recommendations so that together they can tackle preventable barriers to opening a bank account, accessing banking services and improving financial inclusion.
Read the full report and find out how to get involved here.