Around a third of the UK's bank branches have shut within the past five years alone, as customers continue to their migration to online accounts and apps, according to research from Which?

The consumer campaigner said that "hundreds more" that remain open have cut back opening hours, with some open for just one or two days a week.

It said there were 3,303 bank branch closures - around 34% of the network - between January 2015 and August 2019.

The network has reduced in size from 9,803 branches to 6,549 over the period.



Closures in the five years had been slightly offset by 49 branches also opening, it said.

Of the UK's bank branches that remain open, 298 - nearly 5% - now operate with reduced opening hours of four days a week or less, Which? said.


Eleven of these branches - all in Scotland - open for just one day a week, while 45 branches nationwide open for just two days per week.

Which? said NatWest - part of the RBS Group - lead the way, closing 638 branches, while sibling RBS shut 412 - equating to 74% of its UK branches.

HSBC made 442 closures, while Barclays, which did not share full details of bank closure numbers, shut at least 481 branches - but the total could be higher, Which? said.

Within Lloyds Banking Group, Lloyds Bank closed 404 branches, while Bank of Scotland shut 95 branches and Halifax offloaded 70 of its branches.

Image: Banks branch closes have risen as customers continue to migrate to online accounts

Santander closed 294 branches, the Co-op lost 152 and Yorkshire Bank shut 74, Which? said.

According to the research, Nationwide Building Society stood alone in retaining an "impressive" 96% of its branches.

Nationwide has pledged not to leave any towns or cities where it is currently based without a branch - until at least May 2021.

Which? said it wrote to Chancellor Sajid Javid calling for action to guarantee people's ability to access and pay with cash.

Which? money editor Jenny Ross said: "Banks are closing their branches at an alarming rate, which risks shutting many people out of vital financial services and affecting their ability to access their own cash.

"Bank branches play a crucial role within communities, serving consumers and businesses alike.

The industry must ensure no-one is left behind by the digital transition and that when banks shut their doors, they don't shut their customers out of important banking services."

Which? said it used several sources to record the data.

Martin Kearsley, banking director at the Post Office, said: "Almost every bank customer - whether personal or small business - can access their usual high street bank account to get cash out at any Post Office branch, make a cash or cheque deposit or check their balance.

"The services we offer are vital, especially for rural and remote communities, and they provide an opportunity for face-to-face interaction, which is important to many."

A spokesman for the banking umbrella organisation UK Finance said: "Bank branches play an important role in the life of local communities and decisions to close them are never taken lightly.

"Research shows that consumers are increasingly choosing new ways to help them with their banking, using technology to check balances and make payments - or even speak to their bank 24/7.

"But technology is not for everyone and maintaining access to cash is vital to ensure no-one is left behind."

He said the industry continues to work closely with the Joint Authorities Cash Strategy Group, Government, Bank of England and regulators, and an update on their progress is expected "in the coming weeks."

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: "Many older people face challenges when it comes to managing their money and a rapid move towards online banking in recent years has undoubtedly caused significant problems for many customers, particularly those with visual impairments and dexterity problems.

"These problems are exacerbated when branch closures coincide with poor public transport locally, substandard internet service and mobile black spots, making both digital and analogue alternatives difficult for customers to access."

Federation of Small Businesses national chairman Mike Cherry said: "There are still actions that we as small business owners have to sign off in a branch, in person."

Mr Cherry said high streets could "end up damaged beyond repair" by rapid bank branch closures.

An HSBC UK spokesman said the bank continued to invest in its network and is refurbishing many of its branches.

He continued: "We have closed four branches since December 2017 and never take these decisions lightly."