NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) are set to close 48 branches across the UK in 2024. The NatWest Group confirmed that 47 NatWest branches and one RBS branch will permanently shut their doors by October 2024.
These closures are part of a major restructuring by the NatWest Group, which plans to close a total of 79 branches throughout 2024. The decision is driven by a growing number of customers choosing mobile and online banking, resulting in a 60% reduction in in-person counter visits between 2019 and 2023, while mobile banking users increased by 49% during the same period.
“Increased demand for mobile and online services has led to a significant reduction in branch transactions,” the NatWest Group stated.
The branch closures will take place from July to October 2024, with 15 branches closing in London alone. The single RBS branch affected is located in Farnborough, which will close on 15 October 2024.
Branches scheduled to close include:
- Barking – 32 East Street (11 July 2024)
- Barkingside – 133 High Street (25 July 2024)
- Beaconsfield – 1 Penn Road (30 July 2024)
- Beckenham – 41 High Street (3 September 2024)
- Bracknell – 5 High Street (4 September 2024)
- Chadwell Heath – 27 High Road (1 August 2024)
- Cosham – 69-73 High Street (18 July 2024)
- Dover – 25 Market Square (16 July 2024)
- East Grinstead – 15 London Road (20 August 2024)
- Eltham – 65 Eltham High Street (20 August 2024)
- Farnborough – 31–37 Victoria Road (NatWest & RBS, 15 October 2024)
- Gravesend – 30 King Street (14 August 2024)
- Hackney – 20 Amhurst Road (7 August 2024)
- Havant – 23 West Street (12 September 2024)
- Larkfield – 718 London Road (10 July 2024)
- Bishopsgate – 1-250 (5 September 2024)
- London – Multiple locations including Baker Street, Holborn, Kingsbury, Notting Hill Gate, White City, and more
- Norbury – 1393 London Road (23 July 2024)
- Paddock Wood – Station Road (11 July 2024)
- Petersfield – 4 High Street (11 September 2024)
- Rainham – 70-74 High Street (24 July 2024)
- Ramsgate – 53 High Street (8 August 2024)
- Rustington – 154 The Street (25 July 2024)
- Slough – 118 High Street (12 September 2024)
- Southall – Unit NCG1, Western International Market (5 September 2024)
- Staines – 67 High Street (3 September 2024)
- Upper Edmonton – 104-110 Fore Street (4 September 2024)
- Wallington – 27 Woodcote Road (10 September 2024)
- West Wickham – 33 High Street (22 August 2024)
NatWest and RBS customers are encouraged to transition to online or mobile banking platforms. Customers who prefer face-to-face services should seek alternative nearby branches not affected by the closures.
These branch closures highlight a broader trend in UK banking, where traditional banks are adapting to new technology and evolving consumer preferences.
Originally published by UKNIP.
