14th Feb 2022 15:04
(Alliance News) - Banking giant NatWest Group PLC is to close 32 branches, including several RBS sites, as customers switch increasingly to using online services.
The bank said the sites, overwhelmingly in England, would close but did not say when.
The list includes the Royal Bank of Scotland branch in NatWest's headquarters in Bishopsgate, in the heart of the City of London.
NatWest said 21 of the closures would be NatWest branches, and 11 of them RBS.
Most staff will be moved to other branches, but 12 jobs will be at risk.
All of the branches are in England apart from RBS's Cardiff City branch. Others include sites in Billericay in Essex, Leeds, Manchester and several in London.
"As with many industries, most of our customers are shifting to mobile and online banking, because it's faster and easier for people to manage their financial lives," the bank said.
"We understand and recognise that digital solutions aren't right for everyone or every situation, and that when we close branches we have to make sure that no-one is left behind.
"We take our responsibility seriously to support the people who face challenges in moving online, so we are investing to provide them with support and alternatives that work for them."
Many of the UK's high street bank chains have been shutting sites for years, sparking fears that less technologically savvy customers might struggle to manage their money.
Research carried out by Which? last year for the PA news agency showed that nearly half of bank branches have been lost since 2015, or are scheduled to close.
It counted 4,735 branches that had been earmarked for closure during the period, including 736 in 2021.
It is such a common occurrence that a week ago the Principality Building Society reassured staff and customers that it would keep all of its branches open until at least the end of 2025.
It has 53 branches in Wales and the border areas.
By August Graham, PA City Reporter
source: PA
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