Santander and NatWest will shut a combined 17 in-person branches next week, cutting access for thousands of customers. Brick-and-mortar banks and building societies have disappeared from UK high streets at a rapid pace over the past few years. While banking firms have attributed the trend to increased online banking and a decline in branch use, it has also sparked backlash for disadvantaging older and vulnerable Brits.
Despite ongoing opposition, the week beginning May 11 will see a flurry of bank closures across the country, as banking giants Santander and NatWest continue their shift towards primarily digital services. Santander announced the imminent closure of 44 branches in January; the majority have already shut, and the remaining 15 are slated for the axe this month, including 10 between May 11 and May 13.
NatWest, meanwhile, will shut 15 of its branches across the UK by the end of May, with seven sites set to close next week, according to The Mirror.
Both firms reassured customers that banking hubs would replace the majority of affected branches, continuing to provide in-person services for those who prefer them.
A spokesperson for NatWest said: “Banking has changed dramatically in recent years. There’s more demand for mobile and online services, allowing you to benefit from a faster and easier way to bank.”
A Santander representative added: “In response to a continuing and sizeable shift towards customers using digital banking, we are making changes to our branches to better support customers. We will continue to invest in both our branch network – comprising of full-service branches, counter-free branches, reduced-hour branches, Santander Locals, and our increasingly popular Work Cafés – as well as our digital banking services, so we can be there to support our customers however they choose to bank with us.”