HSBC announces mass branch closures across UK
114 branches will shut next year
HSBC is going to close more than 100 branches across the UK next year saying far fewer customers are physically going to the bank.
In total 114 will shut their doors beginning in April 2023, though the firm says tens of millions of pounds will be invested in updating and improving the remaining branch network.
Which HSBC branches are closing?
Those branches due to shut are as follows:
Blandford Forum – April 18
Bexhill-on-Sea – April 18
Abergavenny – April 18
Cromer – April 18
St Ives – April 18
St Austell – April 18
Bristol Downend – April 25
Leominster – April 25
Market Bosworth – April 25
Alton – April 25
Shaftesbury – April 25
Wilmslow – May 2
Whitley Bay – May 2
Coleraine – May 2
Bideford – May 2
Gainsborough – May 2
Launceston – May 2
Arnold – May 9
Didcot – May 9
Brecon – May 9
Minehead – May 9
Dover – May 9
Stamford – May 16
Whitby – May 16
Halesowen – May 16
Stroud – May 16
Brighouse – May 16
Bridport – May 23
Hove – May 23
Fakenham – May 23
Sudbury – May 23
Liskeard – May 23
Bristol Filton – May 30
Dundee – May 30
Waltham Cross – May 30
Hinckley Road, Leicester – May 30
Market Harborough – May 30
Stourport-on-Severn – May 30
Stirling – June 6
Pocklington – June 6
Chepstow – June 6
Knutsford – June 6
Frome – June 6
Portadown – June 6
Penarth – June 13
Ilkley – June 13
South Shields – June 13
Skipton – June 13
Honiton – June 13
Sleaford – June 13
Twickenham – June 20
Ross-on-Wye – June 20
Hertford – June 20
Wells – June 20
Bicester – June 20
Oakham – June 20
New Milton – June 27
Lewes – June 27
Pontypool – June 27
Beccles – June 27
St Neots – June 27
Wadebridge – June 27
Portishead – July 4
Droitwich – July 4
Leatherhead – July 4
Palmers Green – July 4
Coalville – July 4
Park Gate – July 11
Wetherby – July 11
Port Talbot – July 11
Kingswinford – July 11
Long Eaton – July 11
Horsforth – July 18
Gosforth – July 18
Harpenden – July 18
Bognor Regis – July 18
Marlow – July 18
Bromborough – July 18
Christchurch – July 25
Seaford – July 25
Blackwood – July 25
Norwich Mile Cross – July 25
Ripley – July 25
Tonbridge – July 25
Bristol Westbury on Trym – August 1
Ormskirk – August 1
Putney – August 1
Ashton under Lyne – August 1
Kenilworth – August 1
Reigate – August 8
North Finchley – August 8
Cirencester – August 8
Henley on Thames – August 8
Denbigh – August 8
Finchley Road, London – August 15
Chippenham – August 15
Bethnal Green – August 15
Hornchurch – August 15
Colwyn Bay – August 15
Dorchester – August 22
Morley – August 22
Wymondham – August 22
Ryde – August 22
Windsor – August 22
Cardiff Rhyd y Penau – August 29
Leighton Buzzard – August 29
Eastwood – August 29
Oxted – date TBC
Epworth – date TBC
Holsworthy – date TBC
'Remote banking is the norm'
Jackie Uhi, HSBC UK’s Managing Director of UK Distribution, said: “People are changing the way they bank and footfall in many branches is at an all-time low, with no signs of it returning.
"Banking remotely is becoming the norm for the vast majority of us.
"Not only can we do it anywhere at any time of day or night, many more things can be done at the customers’ convenience and don’t rely on a branch visit."
Stats published by HSBC to accompany the news, say more over nine in 10 transactions (97.5 percent) are now completed digitally.
The bank also says use of its branches by regular customers has fallen by 65 percent in the last five years and some that are set to close are seeing fewer than 250 customers a week.
“Branches will continue to play an important role in day-to-day banking, while providing specialist face-to-face support in moments that matter," Ms Uhi said.
"In addition to our branch network, customers can access services through the Post Office network, our Community Pop-ups and soon-to-come Banking Hubs, alongside Live Chat, social media and through telephone banking."
She adds that the decision to close a branch is "never easy or taken lightly" especially if the branch in question is the last in that particular area.
“Our commitment to supporting the UK’s new banking hubs and other community access to cash initiatives under development remains steadfast and we look forward to significant and quicker progress being made in 2023, now much of the groundwork for setting up Cash Access UK Ltd, has been done," she said.