Customers of two of the UK's largest banks are facing the closure of dozens of branches as Santander and NatWest accelerate their shift towards digital banking. Santander is shutting 40 branches before May 20, with the first closures taking place on Tuesday, April 28. NatWest is closing 15 branches by the end of May, with further closures planned for June and September.
Santander announced in January that it would close a total of 44 branches, with the first four closing that month. The bank cited a growing preference for online services, noting that 96% of customer transactions are now conducted digitally. The latest wave of 40 closures will be completed by the end of May.
NatWest is closing 15 branches by the end of May, followed by 14 in June and five more by the end of September. Three additional branches are scheduled to close next year. The bank stated that most closed branches will be replaced by banking hubs offering face-to-face services.
In a statement on its website, 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. We understand the closure of your local branch will bring some changes, and we want to make sure you are fully informed and supported every step of the way.'
The full list of affected branches and their closure dates has been published by the banks. Customers are advised to check the banks' websites for details on alternative services, including banking hubs and online options.
