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Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
Business
August Graham, Press Association & Tamlyn Jones

More NatWest branches to close in the West Midlands

Two more NatWest banks in the West Midlands will close later this year. The branch in Anchor Road, Aldridge, will shut on July 20 which will be followed a week later by Market Street, Tamworth.

They have become the latest in a string of closures over the past few years by one of the UK's largest banking groups, including Birmingham branches in Broad Street, Jewellery Quarter and St Philip's Place last year and also Royal Bank of Scotland in New Street.

These add to sites in Wylde Green, near Sutton Coldfield, Stourbridge, Bromsgrove and Walsgrave Road in Coventry among several others in the region.

NatWest said in a statement: "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.

"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."

This latest pair is part of a UK-wide portfolio of sites totalling 81 which have been newly tabled for closure between June and November this year by NatWest and also Lloyds.

The portfolio comprises four Bank of Scotland, nine Halifax, 26 Lloyds, 40 NatWest and two Royal Bank of Scotland branches.

It means that, in the first three months of 2023, banks have earmarked 213 sites for closure across the country, with NatWest at 63 and Barclays at 58 closing the most.

Nationwide, TSB and Virgin Money have also announced a small number of closures each in the face of increasing numbers of customers switching to digital banking.

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