TSB set to close 36 bank branches

TSB has become the latest high street bank to pull down the shutters on its bank branches as providers continue to push customers towards digital banking.

TSB joins the list of high street banks closing their doors to its branches as it claims more customers are moving online. It follows a rising trend of banks closing high street branches in response to customers making more use of digital services and rarely visiting high street locations.

RBS unveiled plans to close a fifth of its branches last month, while Barclays is set to close 57 branches in the next couple of years and the Lloyds Group shutting its doors to another 45 branches this year.

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The branch closures will hit roles in the bank’s fraud department, central operations and across the branch network.

TSB has already shut 10 branches over the past year and it means it will have 175 by the end of 2025.

The move has angered trade union officials, with Unite regional officer Andy Case describing the job cuts as a “grave mistake.”

“These workers perform essential work in the fraud departments and across the branch network,” he says. “Through extensive negotiations Unite has been able to substantially reduce the number of jobs at risk. 

"However, that isn’t sufficient, the union is pressing TSB to urgently reconsider its damaging bank branch closures plan. 

"At a time when customers are increasingly concerned about financial fraud and often need support from a local bank branch this is the wrong course of action.”

Critics argue that closing bank branches affects those who may not be digitally savvy as well as the elderly, vulnerable or disabled who may rely on face-to-face services.

Full list of TSB branch closures

The first round of branch closures will take place in September 2024 include:

Alloa
Bedworth
Birmingham, Pype Hayes
Bridlington
Buxton
Carmarthen
Cwmbran
Dovercourt
Edinburgh, Leith
Felixstowe
Frome
Glasgow, Cardonald
Glasgow, Castlemilk
Haddington
Hounslow
Lerwick
Leven
London, Bethnal Green
London, Clapham
Longton
Manchester, Middleton
Newcastle upon Tyne
Peterhead
Sheerness
Stornoway
Torquay
Whitehaven

The next round in May 2025 are include:

Amble
Aylsham
Banff
Bedlington
Bude
Crook
Flint
Tenbury Wells
Whitchurch

How to find a high street bank

Unfortunately, there is little you can do if your local bank branch closes and you still want to use it.

It may be worth checking how close your nearest branch is and if you can travel.

Alternatively, it may be worth switching bank accounts to a provider that has a branch close by. Some may even offer current account switching bonuses.

It is also worth checking the customer service levels and features a bank offers rather than just choosing it for its location though.

If you want to stay with your current provider, around 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK offer banking services, such as paying in and withdrawing cash, depositing cheques and checking your balance. 

Banking hubs are also on the rise, with 37 in the UK letting customers of any bank use the service for personal banking, depositing or withdrawing money, business banking and making bill payments.