A HIGH Street bank has confirmed it is closing its doors in Maldon as the continuing exodus of branches continues across the country.

NatWest has revealed it will be closing its town centre branch next March.

The banking giant has said between January 2019 and January 2023, counter transactions in Maldon for personal customers have decreased by 59 per cent.

A total of 70 per cent of personal customers using the town’s branch also chose to use Online Banking or NatWest’s mobile app last year.

The Maldon closure is amongst 19 across the UK, in the latest tranche of hundreds of branches which have closed in recent years.

A NatWest spokesman said: “As with many industries, most of our customers are shifting to mobile and online banking, because it’s faster and easier for people to manage their financial lives.  

“We understand and recognise digital solutions aren’t right for everyone or every situation, and that when we close branches we have to make sure that no one is left behind.

“We take our responsibility seriously to support the people who face challenges in moving online, so we are investing to provide them with support and alternatives that work for them.”

There has been a massive exodus of branches from high streets in recent years.

So far in 2023 alone, banks have announced the closure of 578 branches across the UK.

The largest number of closures announced this year have been Barclays branches. The bank has said 185 of its sites are set to shut.

NatWest is second with 116 branches, followed by Lloyds with 112 and Halifax with 72.

The NatWest branch in Maldon will close its doors on March 7, 2024.