Major bank with 1,500 branches shutting even more sites

Last Friday, September 1st, Barclays continued to add to growing signals of the end of the traditional banking era by closing four of its banks. 

The banking sector faces challenges from socio-political challenges spanning the globe. 

The shutdowns are the result of major banks' efforts to shift more of their operations online, as greater centralisation of banking grows in realisation. 

Information from LINK, the biggest cash machine network in the United Kingdom, tracks upcoming branch closures. Since last week Friday, Barclays bank branches in the following four cities will be closing:

• Corn St., Leominster
• Market Square, Wellingborough 
• Arcade, Westfield 
• London's Putney High Street

70 Barclays branches to close this year

One of the largest banks in the UK, Barclays, has stated that it would be shutting down over 70 branches in 2023.

Barclays announced the closure of seven more branches last month.

The bulk of the closing branches are scheduled to close this year around mid-November, with one exception in December.

It will have an impact on areas in and around London, Durham, and Cirencester.

The company stated in July that it will be closing 14 more locations.

It follows hundreds more from a variety of big financial institutions and general credit uncertainty. Institutions affected include NatWest, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, Virgin Money, and Halifax, among others.

On Tuesday (August 29), HSBC, to provide just one example, shut down three of its branches.

The Eastwood, Nottingham, and Leighton Buzzard locations, as well as the Rhyd-Y-Penau, Wales, location, have all closed.

Difficulties for seniors eased by libraries and post offices

Many Brits, particularly the senior population, depend largely on in-person services and the closures will make it more difficult for them to receive services.

Each bank's website has a branch finder that may help you identify the one that is most convenient for you.

Customers may not be able to go to the next town over for basic banking services, but they still have options.

Even if the most recent round of closures means your local branch is no longer operational, you should still be able to do most routine business at the Post Office. 

The almost 12,000 Post Office locations may be used for a variety of services, but they cannot be used to create checking or savings accounts or to obtain consumer loans or mortgages.

Many financial institutions now provide customers with the option of mobile banking, where a bus stocked with the same features found at a bank's office travels to customers' neighbourhoods.

If your bank provides this service, you can inquire as to its location and expected arrival time by calling the bank directly.

Local banking hubs

Some banks provide mobile banking services from community centres or libraries.

Brixham, Cambuslang, Cottingham, and Rochford are just a few of the UK cities that have established banking hubs to provide conventional shared services and close the gap.

Open a digital-only bank today — quickly and easily.