NatWest and RBS Set to Shut 48 Branches in 2024
NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) are closing 48 branches across the UK next year. The NatWest Group confirmed 47 NatWest branches and one RBS branch will shut their doors for good by October 2024.
Massive Branch Closures Amid Digital Shift
The closures are part of a major overhaul by the NatWest Group, which plans to close 79 branches in total throughout 2024. The move is driven by customers flocking to mobile and online banking, slashing in-person counter visits by 60% from 2019 to 2023, while mobile users jumped 49%.
“Increased demand for mobile and online services has led to a significant reduction in branch transactions,” NatWest Group said.
Which Branches Are Closing?
Branch closures will roll out from July to October next year, hitting 15 in London alone. The single RBS branch affected is in Farnborough, closing on 15 October 2024.
- 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)
What This Means for Customers
NatWest and RBS customers are urged to switch to online or mobile banking. Those who prefer in-person services should look for nearby branches not affected by the closures.
The closures underline a wider trend in UK banking. Traditional banks are reshaping to keep up with new technology and changing consumer habits.
