NATWEST is closing multiple branches across the UK this year, as the shift from face-to-face to online banking continues.
The high-street bank is shutting 92 branches in total, of which six will happen in April.
HSBC, Halifax, Lloyds and Barclays are also shutting up shop on a number of branches.
The data comes from LINK, the UK’s largest cash machine network, which reveals when the closures are planned for.
HSBC is set to close 11 branches in April while Halifax is closing six and Lloyds half a dozen.
Meanwhile, Barclays is shutting 22 of them and Nationwide is pulling down the shutters for good on one.
This is the list of Natwest branches closing in April:
- Blackpool – April 25
- Fleet – April 27
- Heslington – April 27
- London (Clapham) – April 26
- Southampton – April 25
- Stroud – April 26
We’ve also rounded up branches closing later this year, if they haven’t already shut:
- Aldridge – July 20
- Ashton-in-Makerfield – June 27
- Birstall – June 1
- Blandford Forum – August 1
- Bletchley – June 29
- Bootle – May 10
- Bournemouth – August 8
- Brighouse – August 9
- Brighton – August 16
- Bristol – July 4
- Broadwater – May 16
- Bromsgrove – January 31
- Buxton – February 2
- Cardiff – July 18
- Caterham – February 1
- Cheadle – February 2
- Christchurch – August 16
- Cleethorpes – March 7
- Clitheroe – February 15
- Colwyn Bay – May 17
- Cranbrook – May 30
- Crawley – May 11
- Croydon – July 4
- Croydon – July 19
- Deal – July 5
- Devizes – March 8
- Dorking – July 25
- Dunstable – May 3
- Eastleigh – February 16
- Exeter – May 9
- Fakenham – August 10
- Frome – May 11
- Fulwood – August 17
- Gerrards Cross – February 21
- Glossop – March 2
- Headington – February 7
- Heald Green – July 11
- Henley-on-Thames – February 7
- Hertford – August 15
- Horwich – TBC
- Hull – July 11
- Ilkley – February 21
- Ilminster – May 18
- Isleworth July 12
- Knowle – July 12
- Knutsford – August 2
- Llansamlet – May 25
- London (Marylebone) – May 23
- London (W1H) – February 23
- London – July 5
- London – July 13
- London – August 17
- Maidstone – May 4
- March – July 25
- New Malden – July 13
- Oxted – February 22
- Parkstone – March 7
- Peterborough – July 26
- Potters Bar – February 2
- Romford July 6
- Rothwell – June 28
- Runcorn – August 2
- Ryde – August 10
- Sandbach – February 8
- Sheerness – May 25
- Shipley – February 23
- Shoreham-by-Sea – TBC
- Southsea – February 23
- St. Neots – February 28
- Stony Stratford – August 3
- Stourbridge – February 8
- Stratford – November 30
- Street – July 19
- Tamworth – July 27
- Thame – March 1
- Tilehurst – June 28
- Tonbridge – March 9
- Torquay – May 31
- Uckfield – March 8
- Waterlooville – March 9
- Westbury on Trym – August 8
- Wetherby – February 9
- Whitehaven – March 14
- Whitley Bay – July 20
- Wokingham – February 9
- Wymondham – August 1
What can I do if my local bank branch closes?
Banks closing branches is nothing new – more and more have been shutting as customers transition to online banking.
However, it can mean those without online banking, such as the elderly, are left struggling to carry out all the banking tasks they need to.
If your local branch is closing down and you are wondering what you can do, you have some options.
You can always try driving or getting public transport to your next nearest branch.
If that’s not an option, try setting up an online banking account.
How you do this will vary from bank to bank so you should check with yours what you have to do.
For example, Lloyds Bank customers are asked for their date of birth, postcode and bank account details.
Next, they have to create a user ID and password and pass a security check.
Following this, they have to take down a four-digit code, read it out then they should be all set up.
Most major banks and building societies have apps too, so you can bank from your iPhone or Android.
If you don’t, or can’t, set up online banking, and your nearest physical branch is too far away, you can always switch to a bank that has a branch close to you.
You can do this using the Current Account Switch Service (CASS).
You just have to join the new bank and they will handle the switch for you, given they are signed up to the service.
You will need to choose your switch date and organise moving any bank statements across though.
You can get hold of old statements by contacting your existing bank.
Some banks offer cash switching bonuses too – but make sure you only switch because the account is right for you.
Beyond this, you can use one of the Post Office’s 11,635 branches to carry out the most basic banking tasks.
You won’t be able to open a new bank account or take out personal loans and mortgages though.
Some banks offer customers mobile banking services too – this is where a bus drives to your area offering the same services you can usually get in a physical branch.
It’s worth contacting your bank or building society to see if they offer such a service.
Other banks set up portable hubs in village halls and libraries.
Plus, banking hubs, which offer traditional shared services, have also been set up in four locations around the UK — Brixham, Cambuslang, Cottingham and Rochford.
LINK recently announced plans for a further eight locations to be opened up in the UK – taking the total number of planned hubs to 47.
