NatWest to close 23 more branches this year – here's the full list, plus alternatives 26 January at 3:46PM in Budgeting & bank accounts 15 replies 936 views

MSE_Emily

NatWest has announced it will close a further 23 bank branches between April and June this year, on top of the 43 branches that have either already closed or are set to close between January and March. Below we list the branches disappearing and what the alternatives are if you still want face-to-face banking...

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NatWest to close 23 more branches this year – here's the full list, plus alternatives

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richfo3

Ok so I might be totally dumb for asking this but everything I have read doesn't answer the main questions. How does branch closure affect my online banking?
  As in I receive disability payments Via the DSS . I thought that the -- -- -- sort code was an important part of identifying me and making sure the payment goes to the right place.
  Can I continue to use NatWest online banking as I do now or is this going to change everything now the branch is closing?
What happens to my account number etc?

Thanks in advance

gsmh

The sort code used to be linked to a particular branch of a bank, and still does in many cases, but these days it's often just an organisational marker ensuring your account is correctly identified. Some banks have a single sort code used for every customer, others have legacy codes which used to refer to a particular branch. It doesn't matter at all if the actual branch the sort code used to refer to has been closed, it just identifies a cohort of accounts. Nothing will change for you.

silvercar

My NatWest sort code, that was linked to my now closed branch, is now identified as belonging to the nearest (open) branch.

WillPS

silvercar said:

My NatWest sort code, that was linked to my now closed branch, is now identified as belonging to the nearest (open) branch.

This is what happened to mine - Nottingham Victoria Centre became Nottingham Smiths Bank (B). Both had the same registered address (a contact centre in Leicester) for some time before that.

OP, there is no need to worry at all. 

TheBanker

richfo3 said:

Ok so I might be totally dumb for asking this but everything I have read doesn't answer the main questions. How does branch closure affect my online banking?
  As in I receive disability payments Via the DSS . I thought that the -- -- -- sort code was an important part of identifying me and making sure the payment goes to the right place.
  Can I continue to use NatWest online banking as I do now or is this going to change everything now the branch is closing?
What happens to my account number etc?

Thanks in advance

Do not worry, nothing will change in terms of your account details, online banking or incoming payments. All that will change is that the physical branch will be closed, so if you ever need to bank in person you will need to find another branch, or may be able to use a Post Office depending on what it is you need to do.

I've had a Natwest account for 20+ years. The sort code is linked to the branch where I opened it, which is 200 miles away from where I live now. That branch closed 5 years ago and is now a hairdressers. It hasn't caused me a problem at all.

MEM62

I too have had a NatWest account for well over twenty years.  I probably haven't been into a branch in over 10.  That said, there are times when branch / counter services are important but for that I use my Halifax account.    

Rob5342

MEM62 said:

I too have had a NatWest account for well over twenty years.  I probably haven't been into a branch in over 10.  That said, there are times when branch / counter services are important but for that I use my Halifax account.    

I started banking online with Lloyds in 1999 and I haven't been into a branch in the 24 years since. Even before that I'd rarely go to a branch as I'd do it mainly by phone or post. I'm with Monzo now who don't have branches at all, I've kept my Halifax account open as a spare but I've never used it in the 2 years since I opened my Monzo account.

WillPS

Rob5342 said:

MEM62 said:

I too have had a NatWest account for well over twenty years.  I probably haven't been into a branch in over 10.  That said, there are times when branch / counter services are important but for that I use my Halifax account.    

I started banking online with Lloyds in 1999 and I haven't been into a branch in the 24 years since. Even before that I'd rarely go to a branch as I'd do it mainly by phone or post. I'm with Monzo now who don't have branches at all, I've kept my Halifax account open as a spare but I've never used it in the 2 years since I opened my Monzo account.

Guessing you've never paid in cash?

penners324

WillPS said:

Rob5342 said:

MEM62 said:

I too have had a NatWest account for well over twenty years.  I probably haven't been into a branch in over 10.  That said, there are times when branch / counter services are important but for that I use my Halifax account.    

I started banking online with Lloyds in 1999 and I haven't been into a branch in the 24 years since. Even before that I'd rarely go to a branch as I'd do it mainly by phone or post. I'm with Monzo now who don't have branches at all, I've kept my Halifax account open as a spare but I've never used it in the 2 years since I opened my Monzo account.

Guessing you've never paid in cash?

Don't need a bank branch to pay in cash. Post Office is OK for most banks, paypoint sites for Monzo

WillPS

penners324 said:

WillPS said:

Rob5342 said:

MEM62 said:

I too have had a NatWest account for well over twenty years.  I probably haven't been into a branch in over 10.  That said, there are times when branch / counter services are important but for that I use my Halifax account.    

I started banking online with Lloyds in 1999 and I haven't been into a branch in the 24 years since. Even before that I'd rarely go to a branch as I'd do it mainly by phone or post. I'm with Monzo now who don't have branches at all, I've kept my Halifax account open as a spare but I've never used it in the 2 years since I opened my Monzo account.

Guessing you've never paid in cash?

Don't need a bank branch to pay in cash. Post Office is OK for most banks, paypoint sites for Monzo

A branch of the Post Office, you mean?