News / Banks
NatWest announces closure of branch in Bristol
A national bank is pulling the shutters down on more than 100 branches across the country, including one in Bristol as people continue to drift towards digital services for their banking needs.
NatWest’s branch on Fishponds Road will close for good on September 4, following the bank’s decision to accommodate to “dramatically” changing banking conditions.
This comes after Lloyds announced the closure of three Bristol branches by the end 2025 in January for similar reasons.
On a separate page on their website dedicated to branch closures, NatWest said: “We’ve recently announced that we’re closing some branches. There are many other ways to continue banking with us.
NatWest’s Fishponds branch is located on one of the neighbourhood’s busiest streets – photo:
They continued: “Banking has changed dramatically in recent years, with an increased demand for mobile and online services, as our customers benefit from a faster and easier way to bank.
“Closing a branch is a decision we take very seriously.
“We know it can affect those less confident with the alternatives we offer. We’ll always work hard to guide and support you through the changes and find the best way to serve you from now on.”
Individual documents earmarked for each branch detail information about the closure and what it means for those who frequented the branch.
The document for Fishponds includes among other things addresses of the nearest alternative branches, which are in Kingswood, Broadmead and Filton. However, there is no compulsion for customers to use a designated branch, as the document confirms they can “pop into any NatWest branch”.
With customers relying more and more on online and mobile banking, physical branches are bearing the brunt of it, with NatWest saying that average counter transactions at their branches reduced by 64 per cent between January 2020-2025.
The bank said: “With the ease of mobile and online banking, fewer people are coming into the bank. This means we’ve had to make some tough choices about which can stay open.
“So, we want to make sure that we keep the branches people are using most.”
All photos: Kate Onley-Gregson
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