More than 13million Brits still rely on bank branches despite a whopping 6,000 of them closing over last decade ...Middle East

MILLIONS of bank customers face being left stranded after a damning report revealed 6,000 branch closures over the past decade.

A whopping 13million customers used bank branches last year, according to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

The data shows that most users remain “reliant on bank branches for essential services,” despite the move toward online banking.

The FCA report revealed that an eye-watering 9.7million people visited a specific site at least once a month.

Experts fear that the trend of branch closures will leave customers stranded with around 3.3million account holders never banked online.

Around 63 per cent of those are over the age of 85, which raises further concern, according to the FCA.

The report also found that people from low-income households – as well as those with cancer, multiple sclerosis, or HIV — were less likely to engage with digital banking.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “The disappearance of face-to-face banking risks cutting a significant minority of the older population out of an essential service, making it difficult if not impossible for them to maintain their independence.”

The main reasons people avoided online banking were concerns about security and a preference for speaking to someone face-to-face.

A staggering 21 per cent of account holders surveyed said their regular bank branch had closed.

Consumer group, Which?, showed that more than 6,000 branches have shut in the past decade.

Jenny Ross, money editor at Which? said: “As the UK’s bank branch network continues to be cut to the bone, more people are finding it difficult to access banking services.”

 Former pensions minister Ros Altmann added: ‘Millions of British citizens cannot and do not use online or mobile banking, and indeed don’t even have a smartphone.

Despite the rising bank closures, Nationwide has committed to keeping all of its branches open until 2028.

The major bank has seen the number of customers rise by 4 per cent, which appears to be partly driven by other bank closures.

Which bank branches are closing in June?

Halifax:

Bank of Scotland:

Lloyds:

Over the rest of the year, another 40 branches are closing.

These include locations in Bristol, London, Bolton, Edinburgh and Coventry.

Here is the full list…

Halifax:

Barrow-in-Furness: 133-135 Dalton Road LA14 1HZ – September 10Bexleyheath: 131 Broadway DA6 7HF – October 23Blackpool: 283/287 Lytham Road FY4 1DP – October 29Bolton: 23/27 Knowsley Street BL1 2DG – November 20Brentwood: 12 High Street CM14 4AE – September 10Bristol: 15 Kings Chase Shopping Centre BS15 8LP – October 8Carmarthen: 121/122 Lammas Street SA31 3AE – October 6Castleford: 68 Carlton Street WF10 1DB – September 8Cirencester: 10/12 Cricklade Street GL7 1JH – September 25Crewe: The Market Centre CW1 2HU – October 14Derby: 39 East Street DE1 2BL – October 23Epsom: 51-52 The Ashley Centre KT18 5DB – September 15Erdington: 221 High Street B23 6SS – September 24Folkestone: 70-72 Sandgate Road CT20 2AA – October 9Hayes: 45/47 Station Road UB3 4HH – October 6Hexham: 20 Priestpopple NE46 1XH – November 5Hove: 86/87 George Street BN3 3YE – October 20London (South East): 165/169 Eltham High Street SE9 1TT – October 29London (South East): 9-13 Powis Street SE18 6HZ – October 1London (South West): 6 St Johns Hill SW11 1RU – September 23

Bank of Scotland:

Edinburgh: 206 St John’s Road EH12 8SH – October 29

Lloyds:

Biggleswade: 35 High Street SG18 0JD – November 5Blandford: 6 Market Place DT11 7EE – November 10Bristol: 16 Highridge Road BS13 8HA – November 6Bury: 45 The Rock BL9 0JP – October 21Chard: 27 Fore Street TA20 1PS – November 11Coventry: 531 Foleshill Road CV6 5JN – November 4Dunstable: 12 High Street North LU6 1JY – November 4East Grinstead: 1/3 London Road RH19 1AH – November 12Fakenham: 27 Norwich Street NR21 9AH – July 1Falmouth: 11-12 Killigrew Street TR11 3RA – November 13Feltham: 40 The Centre TW13 4AX – November 4Ferndown: 84 Victoria Road BH22 9JB – November 17Hexham: Priestpopple NE46 1PA – November 5Kidderminster: 1 Vicar Street DY10 1DE – October 16Leeds: 1 Cross Gates Centre LS15 8ET – August 20Leeds: 52 Town Street LS12 3AE – September 8Leominster: 9 Corn Square HR6 8LT – November 18London (East): 180 – 182 High Street E17 7JH – October 22London (South West): 12 Mitcham Road SW17 9ND – October 8Loughton: 11 The Broadway IG10 3SW – November 12Manchester: 64 Old Church Street M40 2JF – November 5

Since June 2022, Lloyds Banking Group has shut 537 bank branches across its three brands.

It has previously said all workers at the affected branches will be offered jobs elsewhere in the company.

UK banks and building societies have closed about 6,293 branches since January 2015, according to research by Which?.

This works out as almost two branches shutting every day for the past decade.

Barclays is the individual bank that has reduced its network the most, with 1,227 branch closures.

What to do if your local bank is set to close

If your nearest branch is closing, you should still be able to access banking services without going to another town.

For example you could check if there is a Post Office near you.

Here you’ll be able to do basic banking tasks, although you won’t be able to open a new bank account or take out personal loans or mortgages.

You can find your nearest Post Office branch by visiting postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder.

Many banks also offer a mobile banking service where they bring a bus to your area that offers services you can usually get at a physical branch.

Other banks use buildings such as village halls or libraries to offer mobile banking services.

You may want to contact your bank to see what mobile services they have available.

Another option is to check if there’s a super ATM near you.

These have been rolled out across the UK where branch closures have left residents unable to access essential banking services.

These ATMs will allow customers to withdraw funds, access their balance, change PIN numbers and deposit cash.

Banking hubs are also being opened across the country with 250 set to be available by the end of 2025.

What services do banking hubs offer?

BANKING hubs offer a range of services to bridge the gap left by the closure of local branches.

Operated by the Post Office, these hubs allow customers to perform routine transactions such as deposits, withdrawals, and balance enquiries.

Each hub features private booths where customers can discuss more complex banking matters with staff from their respective banks.

Staff from different banks are available on a rotational basis, ensuring that customers have access to a wide range of banking services throughout the week.

Additionally, customers can receive advice and support on various financial products and services, including loans, mortgages, and savings accounts. 

Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( More than 13million Brits still rely on bank branches despite a whopping 6,000 of them closing over last decade )

Also on site :

• Israel begins ‘broad’ invasion of Gaza to seize entire strip & wipe out Hamas – but group’s terror allies vow revenge
• Will Ospreay Teases First-Ever Match At AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door
• Congratulations to AEW star Darby Allin