The latest closure announcement means in 2023, NatWest Group has confirmed a total of 130 branches are set to be closed, with the majority of locations already being shuttered.
It comes as the banking group has seen an average 60% reduction in counter transactions in the four years to January 2023. At the same time, mobile app use has increased 49%.
In total, 115 NatWest branches have been added to the 2023 LINK ATM list of branch closures, including the latest 18:
- 1 Water Lane, Bakewell, England, DE45 1YY, 22/02/2024
- 817 Bristol Road South, Birmingham, England, B31 2WD, 05/03/2024
- 314 Chiswick High Road, London, England, W4 5TA, 20/02/2024
- 267 Castle Street, Dudley, England, DY1 1LJ, 07/03/2024
- 151 New Line, Bradford, England, BD10 0BT, 21/02/2024
- 2 Greenwich Church Street, Greenwich, England, SE10 9BQ, 22/02/2024
- 36 High Street, Maldon, England, CM9 5PW, 07/03/2024
- 262 Marine Road Central, Morecambe, England, LA4 4BJ, 28/02/2024
- 509 Prescot Road, Liverpool, England, L13 3BZ, 05/03/2024
- 34 Moor Street, Ormskirk, England, L39 2AL, 27/02/2024
- 1 Taff Street, Pontypridd, Wales, CF37 4UU, 29/02/2024
- 5 High Street East, Redcar, England, TS10 3JR, 20/02/2024
- 159 High Street, Rickmansworth, England, WD3 1AR, 29/02/2024
- 208 Piccadilly, London, England, W1J 9HE, 06/03/2024
- 56 High Street, Rochester, England, ME2 4AG, 06/03/2024
- 10 Victoria Road, Surbiton, England, KT6 4JY, 21/02/2024
- 10 High Street, Wednesfield, England, WV11 1BF, 28/02/2024
- 12 Station Parade, London, England, NW2 4NN, 27/02/2024.
For RBS, one location is set to close, taking its 2023 total to five:
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- 23 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, Scotland, G2 3AD, 19/11/2024.
And for Ulster Bank in Northern Ireland, 10 locations are set to go:
- 1a Main Street, Ballynahinch, Northern Ireland, BT24 8AP, 28/02/2024
- 27 Main Street, Crumlin, Northern Ireland, BT29 4UR, 20/03/2024
- 2-8 Market Street, Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, BT30 6BU, 19/11/2024
- 2 Farmley Road, Glengormley, Northern Ireland, BT36 7QU, 13/03/2024
- 1-2 Kings Square, Belfast Northern Ireland, BT5 7EA, 21/02/2024
- 186 Main Street, Lisnaskea, Northern Ireland, BT92 0JF, 06/03/2024
- 14-16 Market Street, Lurgan, Northern Ireland, BT66 6AP, 05/03/2024
- 356-369 Ormeau Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT7 3GP, 20/02/2024
- 91-93 University Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT7 1NG, 12/03/2024
- 29 Clooney Terrace, Waterside, Northern Ireland, BT47 6AW 27/02/2024.
NatWest runs a dedicated support line for customers over the age of 60 which is open every day from 8am to 8pm, and typically has shorted waiting times. It also has customer care experts who can guide users through the registration process for online and mobile services.
A NatWest spokesperson, said: “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.
“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.”
Alternative ways to bank with NatWest
Customers can visit banking hubs which provide basic banking services including counter services run by the major banks and the Post Office. There are also dedicated rooms where customers can see community bankers from their own bank for more complicated matters that require specialist knowledge or privacy.
According to LINK, the ATM network, there are seven banking hubs open in Acton, Brixham, Cambuslang, Carmoustie, Cottingham, Rochford and Troon.
However, as branch closures ramp up, LINK recently recommended its 100th shared banking hub after analysing the impact of 847 bank branch closures, as well as receiving more than 600 requests from members of the public.
There are an estimated 39,000 free ATMs across the UK and 11,000 Post Offices where customers can access and carry out basic banking services.
Related: An in-depth guide to your rights when your bank branch closes
