MORE than 1,000 bank branch closures have been announced since the start of 2023 and 40 more are set to shut for good in July 2024.
Halifax, Bank of Scotland, Lloyds, NatWest and Barclays have all announced they will close branches across the UK, leaving Brits struggling to access in-person services on the high street.
Branches will see their doors shut for good in towns and cities including Wokingham, Sheffield, Doncaster, Dover, Leicester and London.
Banks and building societies have shut 5,908 branches since 2015 — at a rate of 54 each month — to almost half the number of branches that existed a decade ago.
Since 2022 almost 1,500 branch closures have been announced, according to data from ATM provider LINK, with 200 further closures slated for the remainder of 2024.
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Barclays has shrunk its network the most, with 1,168 closed, followed by NatWest, Lloyds and Santander, according to Which? data.
Closures can cause headaches for locals who have to travel further to access services or switch to alternative providers.
Of the 40 branches to close in July, 18 will leave customers with no other branches nearby.
NatWest will close the most branches in July, with 16 set to shut for good, while Halifax will close 12, Lloyds seven, Bank of Scotland four and Barclays one.
This is the full list of 40 bank branches closing and the 18 with no other banks nearby:
- Halifax, Cosham, England, 01/07/2024
- Bank of Scotland, Bridge of Weir, Scotland 01/07/2024 - No other branches nearby
- Halifax, Frome, England, 02/07/2024
- Halifax, Garforth, England, 02/07/2024 - No other branches nearby
- Bank of Scotland, Pollok, Scotland, 03/07/2024 - No other branches nearby
- Bank of Scotland, Renfrew, Scotland, 04/07/2024 - No other branches nearby
- Lloyds, Wokingham, England, 08/07/2024
- Halifax, Sheffield, England, 09/07/2024
- NatWest, Shoreham-by-Sea, England, 10/07/2024 - No other branches nearby
- NatWest, Brent, London, England, 01/07/2024
- NatWest, Larkfield, England, 10/07/2024 - No other branches nearby
- NatWest, Horwich, England, 11/07/2024 - No other branches nearby
- Halifax, Sidcup, England, 11/07/2024
- NatWest, Barking, England, 11/07/2024
- NatWest, Paddock Wood, England, 11/07/2024
- Halifax, Prescot, England, 15/07/204 - No other branches nearby
- Halifax, Doncaster, England, 15/07/2024 - No other branches nearby
- Lloyds, Ulverston, England, 16/07/2024 - No other branches nearby
- Halifax, Ossett, England, 16/07/2024 - No other branches nearby
- NatWest, Dover, England, 16/07/2024
- Lloyds, Stone, England, 17/07/2024 - No other branches nearby
- Lloyds, Saltash, England, 17/07/2024 - No other branches nearby
- Lloyds, West Drayton, England, 18/07/2024 - No other branches nearby
- Lloyds, Teignmouth, England, 18/07/2024 - No other branches nearby
- NatWest, Cosham, England, 18/07/2024
- Barclays, Leicester, England, 19/07/2024
- NatWest, Holborn, London, England, 23/07/2024
- NatWest, Norbury, England, 23/07/2024 - No other branches nearby
- Lloyds, Abingdon, England, 24/07/2024
- NatWest, Ealing, London England, 24/07/2024 - No other branches nearby
- NatWest, Rainham, England, 24/07/2024
- Halifax, Andover, England, 25/07/2024
- NatWest, Barkingside, England, 25/07/2024
- NatWest, Rustington, England, 25/07/2024
- Halifax, Aberystwyth, Wales, 29/07/2024
- Halifax, Aberdere, Wales, 29/07/2024
- Bank of Scotland, Banff, Scotland, 30/07/2024
- NatWest, Beaconsfield, England, 30/07/2024
- Halifax, Biggleswade, England, 31/07/2024
- NatWest, Swiss Cottage, London, England, 31/07/2024 - No other branches nearby
Closures have followed a shift in the way people access banking services with most customers using online banking to manage their finances.
Branch closures are also seen as a way for banks and building societies to cut costs.
However, there are fears the continued closures will hurt certain parts of our society more than others.
Research found around 39% of people over 65 did not use online banking and were at "high risk of financial exclusion".
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While a survey conducted by Which? last year, found more than half of disabled or impaired people had negatively been impacted by bank closures.
In May TSB announced it would close 36 branches in the next two years.
Earlier this year Lloyds Banking Group, which owns Halifax, confirmed that it will close 69 branches over the next year.
Some banks or building societies such as HSBC and Nationwide have made pledges to limit branch closures or not shut any at all.
Nationwide has announced its commitment to keep its existing branches open until 2028.
What to do if your local bank closes
If a recent bank or building society closure has left you without one nearby, you have some alternatives.
You can carry out most basic banking tasks at your nearest Post Office, although you won't be able to apply for a loan or open a new bank account there.
You can find your nearest Post Office branch by using the locator tool on its website.
Meanwhile, many banks offer a mobile banking service - where they bring a bus to your area offering services you can usually get at a physical branch.
Other banks use buildings such as village halls or libraries to offer mobile banking services.
It's worth contacting your bank to see what services they have available, and when they might next be in your area.
Last month it was announced that new super ATMs would launch in 17 UK locations where branch closures have left residents unable to access essential banking services.
The ATMs will allow customers to withdraw funds, access their balance, change PIN numbers and deposit cash.
Bank of Scotland, Barclays, Halifax, Lloyds, NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank are already signed up to allow deposits, at the super ATMs, with more banks set to sign up soon.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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