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A MAJOR bank will shut 18 branches for good this month – with several closing in just hours.
Natwest is pulling the plug on 34 more locations across the UK, bringing the total number of branches closed this year to 126.
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Yesterday saw the closure of branches in Southampton and Sidcup, south east London.
Today, the branches in Woodley, Berkshire and Southgate, north London will also shut their doors.
Bank branches have been closing regularly for several years as customers move more towards online banking.
Here’s the full list of the latest banks set to close:
- Natwest, Southgate, October 5
- Natwest, Woodley, October 5
- Natwest, Stanmore, October 10
- Natwest, Tiverton, October 10
- Natwest, Parkhouse Industrial Estate, October 11
- Natwest, London, October 11
- Natwest, Beckton, October 12
- Natwest, Weybridge, October 12
- Natwest, Wickersley, October 17
- Natwest, Prestwich, October 18
- Natwest, Tavistock, October 18
- Natwest, Alton, October 19
- Natwest, Exmouth, October 19
- Natwest, Norwich, October 31
- Natwest, Wanstead, October 31
- Natwest, Leicester, November 2
- Natwest, Camborne, November 7
- Natwest, Plymouth, November 7
- Natwest, Colchester, November 7
- Natwest, Ipswich, November 8
- Natwest, Shotton, November 9
- Natwest, London, November 9
- RBS, Dingwall, November 1
- RBS, Dundee, November 2
A further two Natwest branches will be shutting in July next year – one in Stalybridge and the other in West Kirby.
A NatWest spokesperson said: “As with many industries, most of our customers are shifting to mobile and online banking, because it’s faster and easier for people to manage their financial lives.
“We understand and recognise that digital solutions aren’t right for everyone or every situation, and that when we close branches we have to make sure that no one is left behind.
“We take our responsibility seriously to support the people who face challenges in moving online, so we are investing to provide them with support and alternatives that work for them.”
Even before the latest closures above, by the end of 2023, The Natwest Group will have closed 1,299 branches, according to Which?.
The Group is made up of Natwest, Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster.
What to do if your local bank branch closes
Consumers increasingly use online banking to carry out the majority of their day-to-day activities, hence why so many bank branches are closing.
But it can leave those without access to the internet, especially the elderly, without a physical branch nearby.
If you are worried about your local branch closing leaving you in the lurch, you’ve got some options.
You can use one of the Post Office’s 11,635 branches to carry out most banking tasks.
However, you can’t open new bank accounts or take personal loans and mortgages out there.
Meanwhile, many banks offer a mobile banking service – essentially a bus will come to your local area offering all the normal services you can get at your branch.
It’s worth contacting your bank or building society to see if its runs a banking bus and it will be able to tell when one is next near you.
Other banks use buildings such as village halls or libraries to offer mobile banking services.
Banking hubs, which offer traditional shared services, have also been set up in various locations across the UK.
Eight new banking hubs have been set up in the following locations:
- Downham Market (Norfolk)
- Shirebrook (Derbyshire)
- Otley (West Yorkshire)
- Sidmouth (Devon)
- Newton Aycliffe (County Durham)
- Porthcawl (Bridgend)
- Withernsea (East Yorkshire)
- Wellington (Somerset)
There are four locations already open in Brixham, Cambuslang, Cottingham and Rochford.
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