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.
AlamyNatWest is closing 18 bank branches in February[/caption]
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 1Cheadle – February 2Headington – February 7Henley-on-Thames – February 7Sandbach – February 8Stourbridge – February 8Wetherby – February 9Wokingham – February 9Buxton – February 14Clitheroe – February 15Eastleigh – February 16Ilkley – February 21Gerrards Cross – February 21Oxted – February 22Potters Bar – February 22Shipley – February 23Southsea – February 23St. Neots – February 28
Nationwide
Portman Square, London – February 23
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 that does have a branch in your town through the Current Account Switching Service (CASS).
LINK has also recommended nine new shared banking spaces be set up at high streets across the UK too.
The spaces would see staff from customers’ own banks offer advice and services normally provided at a typical permanent branch.
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 one 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.
In other banking news, Martin Lewis has urged households to make sure they are not missing out on £100s.
Plus, a warning to 10 million Lloyds Bank customers over big plans to change the level of service they receive.