A new online tool has been launched to help communities find their nearest bank branch, as hundreds more locations are set to close next year.
More than 6,000 bank branch closures have taken place in the UK since 2015, according to Which?.
This service, developed by ATM network Link, will provide crucial information about branch opening times and available services across 16 major banks.
The tool aims to assist customers in locating banking services as thousands of high street branches continue to disappear across the UK.
Here is a full list of the high street banks and building societies that are taking part in LINK’s branch closure tool:
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Bank branch closures have swept the nation but a new online service has been created to offset the impact on vulnerable communities
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The service provides essential details about each branch, including their operating hours and the specific banking services available at each location.
This digital resource comes as a response to help customers navigate the changing landscape of high street banking services.
Nick Quin, the head of Financial Inclusion at Link, emphasised the critical nature of this tool for consumers who are increasingly concerned about access to cash services.
The banking expert explained: “We know more people are choosing to pay for things using contactless cards or their phones, but millions still rely on access to cash.
“It’s important to remember that while the face of the high street is changing, there are still many different ways of withdrawing money.”
Bank branch closures are continuing at an ‘alarming rate’, according to Which?GETTY The tool aims to support those who continue to depend on physical banking services, despite the growing trend towards digital payments.
Link’s initiative recognises that while payment methods are evolving, many customers still require traditional banking facilities.
Consumer champions Which? have previously the “avalanche” of branch shut downs that have transformed the banking landscape over the past nine years.
Barclays has been identified as the singular bank responsible for the most closures, accounting for approximately 20 per cent of the total with 1,216 branch shutdowns.
The trend continued into 2023, with eight more Barclays branches closing in May, pushing the total number of closures past the 6,000 mark.
High streets have been hit by a wave of bank branch closures in the last 10 years
PA
NatWest Group has closed the most branches overall since 2015 out of any banking group, with 1,409 shutdowns. Lloyds Banking Group follows closely with 1,216 closures.
These widespread closures have prompted concerns about access to banking services, particularly for communities that rely heavily on physical branches.
Sam Richardson, deputy editor of Which? Money, highlighted the varying impact of branch closures on different communities.
“While some people may hardly notice the closure of their local branch, for others reliant on face-to-face services, the impact can be disastrous,” he said.
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