NatWest closing another 32 branches – is yours among them?

NatWest Group has confirmed it is to close another 32 branches, blaming a continuing shift in customer activity towards online.

The company, which is due to outline its full-year results for 2021 this week, said 21 of the sites operated under its NatWest brand and 11 were RBS branches including the one within its City of London headquarters.

It did not expect the move to result in many job losses, saying that 12 were at risk as most of those affected would be moved to other branches.

“As with many industries, most of our customers are shifting to mobile and online banking, because it’s faster and easier for people to manage their financial lives,” a spokesperson said.

Image: NatWest, Lloyds, Barclays and HSBC have been closing branches over the past decade to save costs and invest in online services

“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.

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“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.”

The announcement continues a trend of branch closures among the major lenders, which accelerated in the wake of the financial crisis, as banks moved to save costs to invest in their digital banking services.

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Research by Which? last year for the PA news agency showed that nearly half of bank branches had been lost since 2015, or are scheduled to close.

Banks argue that the vast majority of sites lost have other branches nearby or Post Office and ATM services from where to conduct most transactions.

NatWest closures

• Billericay, Essex

• Borehamwood, Hertfordshire

• Bulwell & Hucknall, Nottinghamshire

• Chelsea, Greater London

• Gillingham, Kent

• Gosforth, Tyne and Wear

• Headingley, West Yorkshire

• Hull University, East Yorkshire

• Leatherhead, Surrey

• Leeds Victoria, West Yorkshire

• Manchester Spinningfields Square, Greater Manchester

• Marlow, Buckinghamshire

• Nottingham City, Nottinghamshire

• Piccadilly & New Bond Street, Greater London

• Ruislip, northwest London

• South Woodford, east London

• Swanley, Kent

• Tavistock Square, central London

• Twickenham, west London

• Windsor & Eton, Berkshire

• Derby Crompton House, Derbyshire

Royal Bank of Scotland closures

• Bishopsgate, City of London

• Cardiff City, Wales

• Chelmsford, Essex

• Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

• Harrow, north London

• Leeds Park Row, West Yorkshire

• Leicester Market Street, Leicestershire

• London Child & Co

• Nottingham City Office, Nottinghamshire

• Southampton High Street, Hampshire

• Wilmslow, Cheshire