NatWest to close 43 branches – is your local bank on the list?
NATWEST is to close 43 bank branches across the UK in the latest round of closures revealed by the bank.
It is the high street bank's latest move to transition its banking services online.
It said the vast majority of its retail banking services can be done digitally and it is the quicker and easier way to bank.
Just six jobs are expected to be put at risk as part of the closures, NatWest said, suggesting more staff will be offered the opportunity to take up a role at a different branch.
The closures will take place between January and March next year.
A NatWest spokesperson said: “As with many industries, most of our customers are shifting to mobile and online banking, because it is faster and easier for people to manage their financial lives.
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“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.”
NatWest currently has 721 across the UK - this will go down to 678 after the closures have taken place.
Average counter transactions at the bank had shrunk by nearly two-thirds in just two years, between January 2019 and January 2022.
It saw a 39% rise in customers using mobile apps during the same period.
But the company stressed is has a helpline to guide customers through setting up online and mobile services, with a shorter waiting time for the over-60s.
It has also invested in its partnership with the Post Office so people can access cash and face-to-face banking services if they cannot do it digitally, the group said.
The latest closures add to the 32 announced back in February, which included 11 of its Royal Bank of Scotland branches.
Most staff were moved to other branches at that time, but 12 jobs were put at risk.
In August, Barclays announced it was to close a further ten branches this year - bringing its total number of sites disappearing this year to 142.
HBSC will close 69 of its branches before the year is out after shuttering 82 of its banks last year.
Banking groups are blaming a lack of footfall for site closures as a growing number of people now using mobile and internet banking instead of visiting a branch.
Experts say that around 700 to 800 bank sites in total across the UK face closure in 2022.
You can see the full list list below, and check if your local branch is set to close:
- 18 Market Place, Henley-on-Thames
- Hightown, Sandbach
- 141 High Street, Stourbridge
- 49 High Street, Wetherby
- 5 Broad Street, Wokingham
- 2 Spring Gardens, Buxton
- York Street, Clitheroe
- 34 Southampton Road, Eastleigh
- 19 The Grove, Ilkley England
- 44 Packhorse Road, Gerrards Cross
- 12 Station Road East, Oxted,
- 181 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar,
- 19 Market Street Shipley
- 68 Palmerston Road Southsea
- 37 High Street St. Neots
- 3 Cornmarket Thame
- Norfolk Square Glossop
- Corner of Alexandra & Sea View Street Cleethorpes
- 209 Ashley Road Parkstone
- 1 Market Place Devizes
- 49 High Street Uckfield
- 93 London Road Waterlooville
- 130 High Street Tonbridge England71 Lowther Street Whitehaven
- 71 Lowther Street, Whiteheaven
- 1 Courthouse Square, Dundee
- 214 High Holborn, London
- 21 St Mary's Road, Market Harborough
- 11 High Street, Lewes
- 208 Lower Blandford Road, Broadstone
- 19 Miller Road, Ayr
- 209 Lower Addiscombe Road, Croydon
- 262 Union Street, Aberdeen
- 118 Walsgrave Road, Coventry
- 128 Balham Road, London
- 109 George Street, Edinburgh
- 19 High Road, Beeston
- 119 High Street, Berkhamstead
- 151 Bath Road, Cheltenham
- 14 Blythswood Square, Glasgow
- 124 High Street, Bromsgrove
- 1 Croydon Road, Caterham
- 34 High Street, Cheadle
- 91 London Road, Headington
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Last year Lloyd's and Halifax announced 48 sites closures, while TSB said in November that it would axe as many as 70 branches.
Santander shuttered 111 sites before last summer, and HSBC revealed plans for 82 branches closures in 2021.