A building society has announced plans for an innovative new branch in Ryedale abandoned by banks.

Newcastle Building Society is to open a new full-service branch in Pickering, including a team of financial advisers and will provide customers with a facility to both pay money in and withdraw from their current accounts.

The branch, in Marke will include a OneBanx kiosk which enables small businesses and personal customers of any bank that offers open banking to deposit and withdraw cash from their accounts.

The Society was the first UK financial services provider to work with OneBanx, piloting its multi-bank kiosk in 2023 in two branches in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, and Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne.

The announcement comes just months after news of the closure of the last bank branch in Pickering, with Barclays citing falling customer usage and increased preference for digital banking behind its decision to close in January 2025.

Andrew Haigh, chief executive officer at Newcastle Building Society, said: “We’re pleased to announce plans to open a new branch in Pickering, continuing our significant investment into high street branches throughout the North East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria.

“Banks continue to close branches across the UK at an alarming rate, turning their back on our high streets. Our approach is very different, with customers at the centre of everything we do, we believe it is our responsibility to find new ways to keep face to face financial services in our communities.

“Branches help knit their communities together. We want to be there for our customers week in, week out, providing access, support and advice where and when it is needed. The role of a branch extends beyond its physical presence, our colleagues frequently play an active role in supporting local charities, assisting with financial education in schools or helping with initiatives promoting employability.

“This all contributes to a vibrant high street and thriving local economy, and we’re seeing customer numbers increase as more and more people recognise the value of being a member of our building society.”

Pickering resident Vanessa Buckle has recently been appointed manager of the new branch. Vanessa is an experienced financial services professional and board member of Pickering Town CIC, helping to promote the town for the benefit of residents.

Vanessa said: “The positive impact the Society has on the communities it serves was a huge pull for me wanting to be a part of the new Pickering branch.

“There’s something special about the way a member-owned organisation engages with the community and I know how passionate local people are about our town. So I’m sure the new branch will make a difference in Pickering with things like fundraising, grant giving, and colleague volunteering and I can’t wait to get started.”

Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, said: “I am thrilled that Newcastle Building Society has now confirmed that it will be opening a branch in Pickering later this year. I recently met with Newcastle Building Society who currently have a financial advice centre in the town and the arrival of the new full-service branch will mean access to financial services, cash and deposits for my constituents in Pickering.”

Once open, the Pickering branch will become the Society’s 32nd branch, in a network covering the North East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria.