388 towns lose last bank branch as Barclays, NatWest and Lloyds lead high street exodus – see list

Almost 400 towns have been told their last local bank is closing in the past two years, figures show.

Labour has warned that many communities have been turned into “banking deserts” as branches disappear from high streets. Since the start of 2022, the major banks have announced the closure of 388 branches in places where there are no alternatives nearby.

Towns such as Westhoughton in Bolton, Chapeltown in Sheffield and Todmorden in Calderdale are now entirely without in-person banking services close to home.

Campaigners have warned of the negative impact of bank closures on older people. Age UK has said that many people are at risk of financial exclusion as they are not able to manage their money online. And business groups have raised concerns about how many small firms are losing time as they are having to travel further to pay in money.

A total of at least 245 bank branches are set to close in 2024. The major banks including Barclays, HSBC, Natwest, Lloyds, and Halifax have all announced closures as they cut costs as more people move to online banking.

The Government has promised to introduce banking hubs, but so far only 40 have been opened.

The facilities, which are run by the Post Office, have a counter service where customers of all main banks can withdraw and deposit cash, make bill payments, and carry out regular banking transactions. They also have areas where staff from different banks are available on different days.

Roughly 100 hubs are expected to be opened by the end of the year, but Labour has said it would go further by guaranteeing the opening of at least 350.