HUNDREDS of bank branches are set to close in 2023, including 19 in February.
It means thousands of customers who regularly rely on their local branch will have to find another way to bank.
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Data from LINK, the UK‘s largest cash machine network, keeps track of any planned closures.
It reveals there are 257 planned for this year, after a number already pulled down their shutters.
HSBC is set to close 114 branches and NatWest will shut up shop on 43.
Lloyds Bank will shut 36 outlets and Barclays will close 26.
In February, Natwest will close 18 of its bank branches, while Nationwide is set to close one.
Here is the full list of bank branches closing in February and their locations:
Natwest
- Caterham – February 1
- Cheadle – February 2
- Headington – February 7
- Henley-on-Thames – February 7
- Sandbach – February 8
- Stourbridge – February 8
- Wetherby – February 9
- Wokingham – February 9
- Buxton – February 14
- Clitheroe – February 15
- Eastleigh – February 16
- Ilkley – February 21
- Gerrards Cross – February 21
- Oxted – February 22
- Potters Bar – February 22
- Shipley – February 23
- Southsea – February 23
- St. Neots – February 28
Nationwide
- Portman Square, London – February 23
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It’s getting increasingly difficult to do your banking in branch as outlets close across the UK.
The closures come as more customers turn to online and digital banking.
But some banks still operate a large number of permanent branches.
For example, Lloyds Banking Group still operates more than 1,400 branches across the country across its Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland brands.
If your local branch closes, you can always search for a different one across town, if there is one.
Or you can switch to a different bank altogether through the Current Account Switching Service (CASS).
How does the Current Account Switching Service work?
The Current Account Switching Service is designed to make switching your banks easier.
Through the service, you just have to contact the new bank you want to switch over to.
If you are accepted, they will offer to make the switch for you automatically and ask you to choose a date to do it.
Your old bank should then talk to the new bank and everything will be switched across, including your balance, direct debits and salary.
After this, you will receive your new cards, log-in details and and PINS.
