Cash use is on the rise across the UK, according to new figures. It comes as more and more households are switching back to using cash in order to manage their spending. Post Office branches across the country dealt with nearly 40 million cash transactions in the first three months of 2026, marking the busiest start to a year on record.
Its latest Cash Tracker shows that 39.8 million deposits and withdrawals took place between January and March, up by around 900,000 compared with the same period the previous year.
The new data suggests that households are increasingly seeking to keep on top of their finances. The amount of money being moved also increased, with a combination of personal and business deposits up by 6%, and the overall value of withdrawals increasing by the same amount.
Ben Hunter Woollard, Head of Banking at Post Office, said: “For households, being able to withdraw and deposit cash at their local Post Office can be a simple way to stay on top of spending, manage budgets and handle everyday finances with confidence, particularly when family budgets are under pressure.”
Personal deposits saw the biggest rise, with 10% year-on-year, while the value of personal withdrawals grew by 6%.
The typical amount taken out by individuals reached £139, a 7% increase on last year, with the average deposit £297, an increase of 2%.
Maggie Roberts, Postmaster at Storth Post Office in Cumbria, said: “Many of our customers rely on us to be able to withdraw cash, pay in money and deposit cheques closer to home.
“Around 60% of the village are retirees and they do not want to travel that far, so services offered by a Post Office really matter.”
Business customers are also relying more on cash, with withdrawals increasing by 3% and deposits growing by 2% year-on-year, underscoring that cash remains an important option for both firms and individuals.
Ms Roberts said: “Cash and banking services make up around 75% of my business and they are extremely important for the Storth community.”
Mr Hunter added: “These record-breaking figures show how important Post Office branches remain for millions of people and businesses across the UK who want convenient, secure access to cash services on their doorsteps.
“For businesses, especially smaller firms, being able to deposit takings and access cash locally remains a practical part of day-to-day trading. Post Office branches continue to play an important role in communities by providing access to the cash services people and businesses still rely on.”
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