NatWest announces three London branches will shut this year
A major high street bank has confirmed plans to close three branches in London this year. NatWest says the continued shift to online and mobile banking is behind the decision to axe another 57 sites across the UK in 2025.
Over the past two years the NatWest Group closed almost 70 branches. And since 2015, the firm, which also includes the Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank, has closed more than 1,400 outlets.
In London, NatWest will close its Notting Hill Gate branch on November 12, followed by South Kensington on November 14. It's also announced the branch in Chingford is will permanently close, but is yet to confirm a date.
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NatWest suggested the low usage of these three branches is why they have been slated for closure. Throughout 2023 just 5, 8 and 11 personal customers used the South Kensington, Notting Hill Gate and Chingford branches respectively.
Despite the general switch to mobile banking, campaigners say the closure of high street banks has a detrimental impact on elderly and more vulnerable people. In May 2023, Age UK published the findings of a survey which revealed around 4.09 million people are likely not managing their money online.
Confirming the closures NatWest Group said: "The way people bank with us has changed dramatically in recent years, with an increased demand for mobile and online services as customers benefit from a faster and easier way to bank. While we respond to that demand, we recognise our responsibility to provide customers who feel less able to make use of these services with support for the change.
"That’s why we are communicating with our customers affected by the closure and proactively contacting vulnerable customers and regular branch users. We must review our branches and make sure they are in locations where customers use them most."
It added: "We are committed to providing our customers with 12 weeks notice of a branch closure announcement." It said further details including the exact closing date would be available through a poster displayed in branch, or via a closure guide available in branch or online.
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