NatWest is permanently shutting four branches across England this week as the banking giant continues its significant reduction programme.
These closures form part of NatWest Group's wider strategy to reduce its physical presence while encouraging customers to embrace digital banking services.
The closures began today with the Grays branch on High Street ceasing operations, with the bank citing reduced footfall as the reason.
Two further sites will close their doors on Thursday: one on Waterhouse Street in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and another at Fulham Broadway in London.
A Bishopsgate location in Spitalfields is scheduled to shut permanently on Wednesday.
The banking group revealed earlier this year that 30 branches would permanently close during 2026, with an additional nine sites earmarked for shutdown later in the year.
Consumer watchdog Which? has calculated that NatWest Group has shuttered 1,553 branches since January 2015, giving it the unwanted distinction of closing more locations than any other UK banking group.
The wave of closures reflects a broader trend affecting Britain's high streets, with approximately 250 bank branches across the country set to disappear this year.
Lloyds, Halifax and Santander are among the other major lenders significantly scaling back their physical networks as customers increasingly turn to online and mobile banking.
Bank branch closures are continuing at an 'alarming rate', according to Which? | GETTY Following the completion of this week's closures and those scheduled for later in 2026, NatWest Group will maintain a network of 336 branches throughout the United Kingdom.
This total comprises 249 NatWest locations, 62 Royal Bank of Scotland sites and 25 Ulster Bank branches.
In an effort to reassure customers concerned about further reductions, the banking group has confirmed it will not announce any additional branch closures until at least 2029.
The commitment provides some certainty for communities that have seen their local banking options steadily diminish over the past decade.
NatWest Group will maintain a network of 336 branches throughout the United Kingdom
| GETTYNatWest has acknowledged that despite the shift towards digital services, many customers continue to depend on face-to-face assistance for their financial needs.
The banking group has pledged to invest £50 million over the coming 18 months to upgrade its remaining branch network, including modernisation work, refurbishments and relocations where necessary.
NatWest reports that approximately 95 per cent of its customers now utilise some form of digital banking.
The closures come as Lloyds Banking Group has separately announced plans to shut 79 branches over the next year
| GETTYSolange Chamberlain, chief executive of retail banking at NatWest Group, said: "We are investing to offer customers a seamless mix of ways to bank with us, including over the phone, digitally, or via our free-to-use ATM network while continuing to support those who prefer face-to-face banking in branches and community banking hubs."
The closures come as Lloyds Banking Group has separately announced plans to shut 79 branches over the next year.