NatWest and Halifax have announced plans to shut down 39 bank branches in September, impacting their customers. Among these closures, NatWest will close 26 branches while Halifax will close 13. This move aligns with the trend of many high street banks closing physical branches as more people opt for online banking services.
However, concerns have been raised by charities regarding the impact of these closures on vulnerable individuals who may lose access to essential banking services. According to data from Which?, banks and building societies have collectively closed 6,443 branches since January 2015, averaging 53 closures per month.
Which? has reported that a total of 432 bank closures are scheduled for 2025, with NatWest, Halifax, Santander, Lloyds, Bank of Scotland, TSB, and Barclays all included in the list. Looking ahead to 2026, 22 bank branches are set to close, with Lloyds, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland among those affected.
Customers facing branch closures can still access basic cash and counter services at their nearest Post Office. Some banks have introduced pop-up branches or vans, but availability varies, so checking online for schedules is recommended.
NatWest and Lloyds Banking Group, which owns Halifax, have emphasized the increasing shift towards digital services. Both institutions highlighted the growing number of customers using digital channels for banking transactions while also providing alternative options such as telephone banking, community bankers, and access to a wide network of branches for customer convenience.