article_snippet: Plans to introduce smart cash machines which allow customers to pay in as well as withdraw cash could lead to bank branch closures, experts warned last night.
article_snippet: Budget documents yesterday revealed plans to develop new ATMs that will offer a range of services currently only available inside branches.
article_snippet: As well as taking out money and getting balance statements, people will be able to deposit cash and cheques.
article_snippet: These machines already exist in many branches to cut down queues, but are only available to customers of that bank.
article_snippet: It is thought These machines could allow customers of any bank to use These machines.
article_snippet: However Derek French, director of the Campaign for Community Banking, said: ‘These will lead to the closure of more branches.
article_snippet: Last year 479 bank branches shut – more than double the number that closed the year before.