So many bank branches closing !

[Jennalong]

I live in Cumbria and my local Barclays closed 2 years ago so I had to go to my next town ( 20 miles round trip ) but now that one is also closing alongside another branch which would have been a 50 mile round trip.
So which online banks do you use and did the switch over ( direct debits , regular bank transfers etc ) swap over go seamlessness as they promise to do for you ?
Or any to avoid ? Thanks.

And the idiots that are causing online banking to be such a pain nowadays because they are being scammed are often young people rather than older people

Yep two step verification can be a pain if you have a very poor mobile signal.

Banks are suposed to offer other verification options for people in that situaiton (of course if you have broadband then wifi calling is an option).

It's fascinating how quickly closures have speeded up as they have been forced to pay higher interest rates. It's all about their profits- nothing about customer service. Our local Barclays always had queues, always. The businesses in town banked there, small local shops, pensioners, lots of mums, young people from local schools- all using it at various times through the day. We had two Barclays at one time- both gone. Very little left at all now.
The other issue is they tend to occupy buildings that were built as banks so are very hard to re-purpose and end up as white elephants in small towns. The first Barclays to close was about 18 years ago and it is still just a big empty building that looks like a bank.

Private businesses about profit shocker.

You seem to be under some sort of delusion that banks are a public service. Banks are closing branches as they cost more to run than the benefit they get from them. It is that simple.

As I said if we as a society think non profit physical spaces for the digitally excluded to bank are important then either we need to compel banks to provide them or publically funded alterative provision need to be found.

The same issue here in Cornwall although we now have banking hub that's opened and covers the major banks.

Before the hub opened I had one issue in that I was told to go to a branch to close a business account that had 0 in it. However on raising a complaint by email, I was sent a form to complete. Whilst it took 3 weeks to close it was done. I've assumed their original, rather daft advice, was wrong.

Otherwise the biggest issue is drawing out cash although, again, shops are starting to install them. Whilst I disagree with shops having to do that as they hardly have enough room in summer to shop properly, I do understand that cash was the only thing I'd personally used the branch for in years.

My previous visit was with my Dad when we lost Mum and that took quite a while to sort in terms of the bank clerk completing everything necessary for him. That will be quite a loss I think. Especially if its the elderly having to do this online. But, to be honest, I can see its not economic to keep so many branches open simply for occasional reasons.

I think there are better ways to deliver in person banking services.

Here l, one branch does weekly drop ins in a community room in the local library.

Isn't there a cashpoint or a post office nearer?

And suitably paid, too. If people want banks open in quite remote areas where there may not be a very big local labour market, that costs. Especially as some of these places are very expensive to live in.

I’ve been with FirstDirect ever since they were taken over by Midland Bank, so about 30 years. They are excellent. No need to go into branches - but can use HSBC ones as needed for eg emergencies etc.

My bank had two branches. One closed, now the other has which is a real shame for the very rare occasion I need to physically set foot on the premises. Everything day to day is online using the same bank's banking app.

PS that's the RBS.

Pay higher interest rates to whom?

Interest rates are still low compared to historical rates and banks will maintain margins a s they have done for centuries

Closures are because advancea in modern tech mean that physical branches are an expensive provision for a small proportion. Of customers. See also non food retail.

I've only been in a bank a handful of times the last decade. Certain amounts by cheque you have to go in person. Every bank with an in person branch has online banking. You can open an account with photo verification now online.

Metro banks

You can chat online now and do other things while you wait. No need to even call banks anymore