Banks closing

Pennylane

Our two nearest small towns have both lost nearly all Banks now. One has lost Nat West, Lloyds, HSBC, Barclays and Santander, A & L and another building society that I can’t remember name of.  No banks or building societies left there now.  The other has lost HSBC, Nat West and Barclays is going in October. It still has a Nationwide and Lloyds, but for how long?

I bank online with First Direct and was always able to go into HSBC and pay cash in, withdraw cash and ask questions and I do miss that. 

I have an account with most of my money with Barclays but think I may have to move it all to Nationwide because they seem to be hanging on around here.  I need an account with best deal or interest rates.

Neil_Jones

Best accounts are documented here:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/compare-best-bank-accounts/

WillPS

Pennylane said:

I bank online with First Direct and was always able to go into HSBC and pay cash in, withdraw cash and ask questions and I do miss that. 

You can do these basic tasks at any Post Office with most banks. Does your town not have one of these?

ForumUser7

Pennylane said:

Our two nearest small towns have both lost nearly all Banks now. One has lost Nat West, Lloyds, HSBC, Barclays and Santander, A & L and another building society that I can’t remember name of.  No banks or building societies left there now.  The other has lost HSBC, Nat West and Barclays is going in October. It still has a Nationwide and Lloyds, but for how long?

I bank online with First Direct and was always able to go into HSBC and pay cash in, withdraw cash and ask questions and I do miss that. 

I have an account with most of my money with Barclays but think I may have to move it all to Nationwide because they seem to be hanging on around here.  I need an account with best deal or interest rates.

It should have a Nationwide until at least 2026 (https://www.nationwidemediacentre.co.uk/news/nationwide-renews-promise-to-keep-branches-open-until-2026)

Catsacor

WillPS said:

Pennylane said:

I bank online with First Direct and was always able to go into HSBC and pay cash in, withdraw cash and ask questions and I do miss that. 

You can do these basic tasks at any Post Office with most banks. Does your town not have one of these?

Agree.

I do all my banking (Lloyds, Barclays, N/wide) at the P O now, the physical banks' opening hours (in this town) didn't, ever, resume their normal hours after the first 4 months of covid and my, own, working hours didn't allow for this so i chose to transact at the P O - nicer staff and 9-5.30 opening hours.
Win, win, the aforemnetioned don't comer anywhere close on either count.

Bigwheels1111

I’ve not used a bank in over 5 years. I have 7 different bank accounts.
I just put cash in at the post office if needed, into one account and then distribute it to the others.
I said to friends and family many years ago, why are there so many different banks on the high street.
Why don’t they have one bank that covers all brands.
Low and behold that seems to be what’s going to happen now.

Robin9

Bigwheels1111 said:

....................
Why don’t they have one bank that covers all brands.
Low and behold that seems to be what’s going to happen now.

A very slow process - I think there are 6 "hubs".    

Rob5342

Bank branches are relics of the past, I haven't used one for 24 years, and I now bank with Monzo who don't have branches. I can't imagine why I'd ever need to use one, even before I banked online I'd do most things by post.

Can't you get people to pay you by bank transfer? If you really do need to pay cash in then just open an account that lets you do it at the post office, and you can do everything else online with whichever bank offers the best rate.

Indout96

WillPS said:

Pennylane said:

I bank online with First Direct and was always able to go into HSBC and pay cash in, withdraw cash and ask questions and I do miss that. 

You can do these basic tasks at any Post Office with most banks. Does your town not have one of these?

Unfortunately Post Offices are going the same way, since Covid ours open 10.00am / 3.00pm and closed Saturdays, not a lot of use if you are at work.

WillPS

Indout96 said:

WillPS said:

Pennylane said:

I bank online with First Direct and was always able to go into HSBC and pay cash in, withdraw cash and ask questions and I do miss that. 

You can do these basic tasks at any Post Office with most banks. Does your town not have one of these?

Unfortunately Post Offices are going the same way, since Covid ours open 10.00am / 3.00pm and closed Saturdays, not a lot of use if you are at work.

A lot cut back their hours for Covid, but around me they're all back to pre-Covid hours. In fact the one up the hill that used to be a McColls is now open for Post Office services until 10pm Mon-Sun!

Rob5342

Indout96 said:

WillPS said:

Pennylane said:

I bank online with First Direct and was always able to go into HSBC and pay cash in, withdraw cash and ask questions and I do miss that. 

You can do these basic tasks at any Post Office with most banks. Does your town not have one of these?

Unfortunately Post Offices are going the same way, since Covid ours open 10.00am / 3.00pm and closed Saturdays, not a lot of use if you are at work.

Post offices tend to be a counter in a convenience store rather than dedicated places these days. The newsagent near me has a post office counter and does post office services whenever the newsagent is open, although whenever I send parcels I just do it online and get the postman to collect it - very handy as he brings the label with him.