RBS to close 44 branches in the UK

3rd Apr 2014 10:14

Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is set to close 44 branches in the UK as more customers turn to online banking. The closures include 14 branches which are classed as the "last banks in town". RBS said the "world has changed" since it pledged in 2010 to not close such branches. There has been a 30% fall in branch transaction over the past four years. The state-backed lender noted that the "last banks in town" are currently only open for a few hours a week and some only see two customers an hour.However, campaigners have accused the bank of letting down its customers. "Banks of this scale just can't be trusted to take its customers' needs into account, even when the only reason it's still around is because of our support," said Charlotte Webster of the campaign group Move Your Money.A spokesman for RBS said: "Banking has changed significantly over the last few years as more and more of our customers are banking with us where and when it is convenient for them."We have to adapt to what our customers want, which is why we're investing in a range of other ways our customers can bank with us, including online and telephone banking, our mobile app, and in any one of the Post Office's 11,500 branches across the UK."Shares fell 0.50% to 321.30p at 10:28 on Thursday.RD