The company said it would close seven branches this year, however it has now listed several more locations facing the axe up and down the country
A major high street bank is shutting 32 more branches in a further blow to customers.
NatWest had said it would close seven branches this year and now it has listed dozens more which means branches will be shuttered up and down the country – from Hove to Halifax.
Manchester will see two branches shut, while its presence in London is set to reduce even more with four planned closures. NatWest said they take the “difficult decision” of branch closures seriously, but emphasised the need to “reflect customer demand” as customers move towards online banking.
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It is a blow for many people who prefer the face-to-face interaction of going to a bank rather than carrying out transactions online and in-person banking can be important for many elderly and vulnerable people.
A NatWest spokesperson said: “Our branch network is a central part of how we serve customers, and we continue to invest in this for the future, with an increase in our investment into branches planned over the next three years.
“However, how our customers choose to bank with us is changing, and our network and services need to reflect customer demand and ensure we are set up to deliver the best possible support.
“Through our unique mobile branches, Community Banking Hubs, Post Office partnerships and the largest free-to-use ATM network of any bank, we are committed to providing customers with access to banking in ways that best suit their needs.
“We carefully assess where and when we make the difficult decision to close a branch to minimise the impact any change may have on our customers and colleagues.”
It comes weeks after HSBC hired former NatWest executive David Lindberg as the new boss of its UK business. He will take over the role from Ian Stuart, who will shift into a new position as group customer and culture director. The appointment of Mr Lindberg is the latest leadership change under chief executive Georges Elhedery, who has spearheaded sweeping changes since taking the top job last year.
The NatWest Group, which also includes the Royal Bank of Scotland, serves over 20 million customers. And the closure of branches is taking place across the high street bank sector with Santander announcing 44 were to close this year while Lloyds Banking Group will also shut 77 locations.
Here are the branches closing
- Aldershot
- Ashford (Middlesex)
- Barnet
- Boston
- Brentwood
- Eastcote
- Godalming
- Grays
- Halifax
- Harlow
- Hartlepool
- Hemel Hempstead
- Herne Bay
- Hornchurch
- Hove
- Kirkby Lonsdale
- London – Fulham Broadway
- London – Spitalfields
- London – Sydenham London – Tooting
- London – West End
- Loughton – Old Station Road – Sainsburys
- Manchester – Cheetham Hill
- Manchester – Chorlton
- Orpington
- Palmers Green
- Pontefract
- Sheffield – Attercliffe – Attercliffe Road
- South Shields
- Southall
- Waltham Cross
- Welwyn Garden City
