NatWest Group announced that it will close nine more branchees this year, but has pledged not to shut any further bank branches across Britain until at least 2029.. The move follows the closure of 1,553 branches since January 2015 , the most of any banking group, according to consumer group Which?.

9 Branches to Go Between 8 and 17 September

According to NatWest Group, six Royal Bank of Scotland sites and three NatWest branches will close between 8 and 17 September. The bank said the closures mark the conclusion of its current programme of network changes and the start of a new "long‑term investment…and commitment to face‑to‑face banking".

£50 m Investment to Modernise the Remaining 336 Sites

NatWest Group said it will plough £50 million into its existing branch network over the next 18 months to "modernise and upgrade" the sites. chief executive Solange Chamberlain explained that the investment aims to offer customers a seamless mix of ways to bank, including over the phone, digitally, or via its free ATM network, while still supporting those who prefer face‑to‑face banking.

2029‑Long Halt on Further Closures

The banking group pledged not to announce any further branch closures until at least 2029. This decision comes after the group has axed around 73 per cent of its branches in the past decade, second only to Barclays, which has shed 85 per cent since 2015.

Industry Response: Nationwide’s “Tide Is Turning”

Nationwide boss Debbie Crosbie said the tide is turning on branch closures as the building society is on course to become Britain’s biggest high‑street network. crosbie noted that more people than ever want to come into branches for a range of topics, suggesting competitors are re‑evaluating their strategies.

Uncertain Future for Rural and Community Banking Hubs

While NatWest has committed to a 2029 pause, it remains unclear how the remaining 336 branches will fare in the long term, especially in rural areas where community banking hubs may be at risk. The bank’s strategy to balance digital offerings with physical presence has yet to be fully tested in these markets.