Last reviewed: June 2026 | Source: NatWest Group
TL;DR- NatWest Group is closing at least 49 branches in 2026 and 2027: 43 NatWest and 6 RBS locations.
- NatWest confirmed 10 new closures on 5 June 2026, bringing the total announced for this period to 49.
- After these closures, NatWest Group has committed to keeping its remaining 336 branches open until at least 2029.
- NatWest is investing £50 million to modernise and upgrade the remaining branch network by end of 2027.
- Alternatives for affected customers: Post Office counter services, banking hubs, and mobile branch visits.
Key Facts
●Total closures 2026/27: at least 49 (43 NatWest + 6 RBS)
●Branches closing September 2026: 9 sites (8-17 September)
●Remaining network after closures: 336 branches (249 NatWest, 62 RBS, 25 Ulster Bank)
●Commitment: remaining 336 branches open until at least 2029
●Network investment: £50 million to modernise remaining branches by end 2027
●Total NatWest Group closures since 2015: over 1,500
How Many NatWest and RBS Branches Are Closing
NatWest Group, which owns NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Ulster Bank, has confirmed at least 49 branch closures across 2026 and 2027. The group confirmed 10 further closures on 5 June 2026, adding to the 39 previously announced. Of the total, 43 are NatWest branches and 6 are RBS branches. No Ulster Bank branches are included in the current announced closures.
In 2025 alone, the group closed 105 branches, bringing total closures since January 2015 to over 1,500 across the NatWest Group network. The bank attributes the ongoing reduction to changing customer behaviour: 95% of NatWest customers now conduct everyday banking online, according to the group, up from 57% of all UK adults using online banking in 2014 to approximately 90% in 2024.
NatWest Branch Closures: September 2026 Batch
The most recently confirmed batch covers nine sites closing between 8 and 17 September 2026. These include six Royal Bank of Scotland locations in Scotland, plus three NatWest branches in Wales. Following these closures, the group's total network will comprise 336 branches: 249 NatWest locations in England and Wales, 62 Royal Bank of Scotland branches in Scotland, and 25 Ulster Bank outlets in Northern Ireland.
NatWest Branches Closing in 2026 and 2027: Confirmed Locations
NatWest Group has confirmed closures across England, Wales and Scotland. The locations announced for closure include branches in London (multiple), Halifax, Port Talbot, and a range of English towns and cities. In Scotland, six RBS branches are closing. Customers can check their specific branch closure date via the NatWest Group website or by contacting NatWest directly. The full list of confirmed closures, with dates, is published and updated on the NatWest Group website at natwest.com/branch-closures.
Among the NatWest locations with confirmed 2026 closures are Aldershot, Ashford (Middlesex), Barnet, Boston, Brentwood, Eastcote, Godalming, Grays, Halifax, Harlow, Hartlepool, Hemel Hempstead, Herne Bay, Hornchurch, Hove, and Kirkby, among others. The full list with closure dates is maintained by NatWest Group.
Why Are NatWest and RBS Closing Branches
NatWest Group states that the way customers choose to bank is changing and that the branch network must reflect customer demand. The group points to the significant shift to digital banking: the vast majority of transactions are now completed online or via mobile apps. The group also states it remains open to establishing new branches where customer demand clearly exists, and has pledged to expand mobile branch services to reach more communities.
The £50 million investment in the remaining branch network is intended to modernise facilities and improve the in-branch experience for customers who continue to use physical banking. NatWest Group has also delivered over 150,000 financial health check sessions in 2026 as part of its community banking commitment.
What to Do If Your NatWest or RBS Branch Is Closing
Customers affected by a branch closure have several options for continuing to access face-to-face or counter banking services:
Post Office: NatWest and RBS customers can withdraw cash and make deposits at any Post Office counter using their bank card and PIN. The Post Office has over 11,500 branches across the UK, many of which are in locations not served by a bank branch.
Banking hubs: Banking hubs are shared spaces run by Cash Access UK, separate from Post Offices, where customers of multiple banks can access cash services and speak to a community banker. The community banker rotates on a schedule, with different banks represented on different days. Hubs are being opened in locations where the last bank branch has closed. Check cashaccess.co.uk for current hub locations.
Mobile branches: NatWest Group operates mobile branch vehicles that visit communities on a scheduled basis. Customers can find their local mobile branch schedule on the NatWest website.
Switching: Customers who want to move to a bank with a local branch can use the Current Account Switch Service (CASS), which completes the switch within seven working days and redirects all payments automatically. Santander, Lloyds and Barclays all have branches in many locations where NatWest is closing, though all three banks are also undergoing their own closure programmes.
NatWest Branch Closures in Context
NatWest Group is not alone. An estimated 6,795 UK bank branches closed between January 2015 and June 2026 across all banks. Santander has confirmed 58 closures in 2026 and 2027. Lloyds Banking Group, Barclays and HSBC have all closed significant numbers of branches in recent years. Nationwide Building Society has made a comparable commitment to NatWest in the opposite direction, pledging to keep all 605 of its branches open until at least 2030.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many NatWest branches are closing in 2026?
NatWest Group has confirmed at least 43 NatWest branch closures and 6 RBS branch closures in 2026 and 2027, a total of at least 49. The group confirmed 10 additional closures on 5 June 2026. After these closures, 336 branches will remain across the NatWest Group network.
Will NatWest close more branches after 2027?
NatWest Group has committed to keeping its remaining 336 branches open until at least 2029. No closures beyond the current announced list have been confirmed for the period after 2027.
Can NatWest customers use Post Office branches?
Yes. NatWest and RBS customers can use any Post Office branch to withdraw cash, deposit cash and cheques, and check their balance using their bank card and PIN. The Post Office network of over 11,500 outlets is available for basic banking transactions.
What is a banking hub and is there one near me?
Banking hubs are shared facilities run by Cash Access UK where customers of multiple banks can access cash and speak to a rotating community banker. They are opened in towns and villages that have lost their last bank branch. The current list of open and planned hubs is at cashaccess.co.uk.
