HSBC announces mass branch closures across UK

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.

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