The authoritative resource of statistics on the UK’s banking industry reveals an industry changed radically by the global economic crisis, but still undertaking enormous volumes of business for its customers.
The 27th Annual Abstract of Banking Statistics from the British Bankers’ Association provides a wealth of information on the activities of the UK's banks during the calendar year 2009, including figures on banks' assets, lending volumes, mortgages, current accounts and cards - even the current numbers of ATMs.
Among the trends it recognises are the increasing willingness by customers to pay off - or pay down - loans and to increase savings. Although mortgage borrowing has fallen, banks account for an increasing proportion of the activity that is taking place.
The figures show that in every 10 minutes of every day of the year:
- 35,000 people use the internet to check their bank account balance or statement on-line, while paying 4,500 bills via an internet or telephone service;
- 10 people open basic bank accounts, to be accessed in branches or post offices, as we continue to work with government to improve financial inclusion in the UK;
- 48,000 visits are made to bank ATMs, where people withdraw over £3.2 million in cash;
- £300 is paid into ISAs offered by banks;
- 38,000 retail credit card purchases are made by card holders in the UK;
- clearing systems process 18,000 cheques, 107,000 automated payments and 151,000 plastic card payments;
- banks earn £591,000 for the UK’s balance of payments; and
- banks increase financial support for small businesses by £17,000, receive £378,000 from households for safe-keeping and approve 19 mortgages worth over £2 million.