Nearly 100 bank branches are set to pull down their shutters for the final time in the next few weeks. The closures come as a number of major high street banks move more of their banking services online.
Data from LINK, the UK’s largest cash machine network, reveals dozens of banks are set to close branches between July 24 and August 31. HSBC, Barclays, NatWest, and Halifax are among some of the major banks who will be impacted.
According to TheSun, Barclays is closing 29 branches between now and the end of August, while NatWest is pulling down the shutters on 19. Meanwhile, Halifax is shutting two branches and HSBC 27.
It comes as even more branches across the major banks have been signposted for closure over the rest of the year and into 2024. These include fresh dates released this week from Virgin Money and Lloyds Banking Group.
Many, particularly the elderly, still rely on in-person services and the closures will make it more difficult for these people to access services.
But there are still a number of ways in which affected customers can access basic banking services without having to venture to the next town.
If the latest raft of closures will leave you with no bank in your town, you should be able to do most basic tasks at your local Post Office.
You can use one of the Post Office’s nearly 12,000 branches to perform basic banking tasks — but not open new bank accounts or take personal loans and mortgages.
Many banks also offer a mobile banking service, which is where your bank brings a bus to your local area that has the services that are usually available at your branch.
You should call up your bank to see if it runs such a service and they will be able to tell you where and when it will be parked.
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 several locations around the UK to help plug the gap — including Brixham, Cambuslang, Cottingham, and Rochford.
