Number of branches at leading British-owned banks in the UK 2017-2021
With the rise of online banking, and the speed and convenience that it brings, the presence of physical bank branches has become less important. The most prominent change in bank branches during the period from 2017 to 2021 can be seen with the UK's big four (Barclays Bank Plc, Lloyds Bank Plc, HSBC Bank Plc, and NatWest Group plc). On a long-term level, the difference in bank branches open in the UK is even more severe.
Does the closure of branches affect employment?
The closure of bank branches is not only bad news for customers in rural and specific regional areas. Arguably the biggest tragedy of this whole process has been the loss of employment. Between 2009 and 2018, employment in credit institutions has fallen by approximately 480,000. UK banks have been no exception to this fall in employment with banks such as Barclays, Lloyds and the Royal Bank of Scotland all being hit.
Key reasons behind closures
The decline in physical bank branches has often been linked to the rise of online and mobile banking. Whereas this is certainly true in some areas of Europe, others have been slower to adapt to the future of banking. In truth, bank closures have become a way of decreasing expenditure as profit margins become tighter. This, in line with need for Europe’s banks to secure enough capital and stop a repeat of the last financial crisis. This is particularly true for several of the UK’s largest banks who performed amongst the worst during the 2018 EU wide stress test.
Does the closure of branches affect employment?
The closure of bank branches is not only bad news for customers in rural and specific regional areas. Arguably the biggest tragedy of this whole process has been the loss of employment. Between 2009 and 2018, employment in credit institutions has fallen by approximately 480,000. UK banks have been no exception to this fall in employment with banks such as Barclays, Lloyds and the Royal Bank of Scotland all being hit.
Key reasons behind closures
The decline in physical bank branches has often been linked to the rise of online and mobile banking. Whereas this is certainly true in some areas of Europe, others have been slower to adapt to the future of banking. In truth, bank closures have become a way of decreasing expenditure as profit margins become tighter. This, in line with need for Europe’s banks to secure enough capital and stop a repeat of the last financial crisis. This is particularly true for several of the UK’s largest banks who performed amongst the worst during the 2018 EU wide stress test.
