Britons in the countryside have more savings and less debt than those in cities, but are also most vulnerable to being cut off from the financial system as banks close branches.
Rural dwellers are substantially less likely to use the internet, leaving them without access to their funds, the Financial Conduct Authority fears.
The FCA found 81pc of urban residents are in debt compared to 69pc in rural areas.
On the other side of the balance sheet 14pc in cities have no savings, compared to 10pc in the country. Average savings balances among those with money tucked away are also higher outside towns and cities.
Similarly 42pc of adults in rural areas own their home outright compared to 25pc in urban...