NatWest is to close its branch in South Woodford with the banking giant attributing the closure to customers "switching increasingly to online services".

The bank in George Lane will permanently close on 28 June this year.

It is among 32 branches that will be shutting its doors, including 11 RBS sites.

NatWest says most staff at its branches closing down will be moved to other branches, but 12 jobs will be at risk.

NatWest 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 that 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."

Many of the UK’s high street bank chains have been shutting sites for years, sparking fears that less technologically savvy customers might struggle to manage their money.

Research carried out by Which? last year for the PA news agency showed that nearly half of bank branches have been lost since 2015, or are scheduled to close.

It counted 4,735 branches that had been earmarked for closure during the period, including 736 in 2021.

Full list of NatWest closures

Billericay, Essex

Borehamwood, Hertfordshire

Bulwell & Hucknall, Nottinghamshire

Chelsea, Greater London

Gillingham, Kent

Gosforth, Tyne and Wear

Headingley, West Yorkshire

Hull University, East Yorkshire

Leatherhead, Surrey

Leeds Victoria, West Yorkshire

Manchester Spinningfields Square, Greater Manchester

Marlow, Buckinghamshire

Nottingham City, Nottinghamshire

Piccadilly & New Bond Street, Greater London

Ruislip, north-west London

South Woodford, east London

Swanley, Kent

Tavistock Square, central London

Twickenham, west London

Windsor & Eton, Berkshire

Derby Crompton House, Derbyshire

Royal Bank of Scotland closures

Bishopsgate, City of London

Cardiff City, Wales

Chelmsford, Essex

Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

Harrow, north London

Leeds Park Row, West Yorkshire

Leicester Market Street, Leicestershire

London Child & Co

Nottingham City Office, Nottinghamshire

Southampton High Street, Hampshire

Wilmslow, Cheshire