The final remaining financial institution in Paddock Wooden, NatWest, has completely closed its department on Station Street, marking the top of all banking companies within the increasing Kent city.
This closure follows the earlier exits of HSBC and Barclays, leaving native residents with no devoted financial institution.
Paddock Wooden has skilled vital inhabitants development over the previous decade because of the building of hundreds of recent houses. Regardless of this, NatWest has opted to close its doorways, with a spokesperson stating, “As we adapt our companies to satisfy altering wants, we could take the troublesome resolution to shut or consolidate a few of our branches.”
Residents at the moment are directed to the Publish Workplace for fundamental banking companies, corresponding to money withdrawals, cheque deposits, and steadiness enquiries. Nonetheless, for funds or transfers, prospects might want to journey to the closest NatWest department in Tunbridge Wells.
NatWest is encouraging prospects to utilise its complete vary of on-line companies, together with web banking by way of its app, video banking for each private and enterprise wants, and phone banking.
The choice has been met with disappointment from the area people. In a leaflet, NatWest disclosed that buyer utilization of the department had dropped by 67% between 2019 and 2023. Moreover, in 2022, 72% of consumers who visited the department additionally used on-line banking companies.
A NatWest spokesperson acknowledged the frustration however emphasised the financial institution’s dedication to a sustainable community. “Whereas we all know that that is disappointing, now we have rigorously thought of how finest to take a position to verify now we have a sustainable community for the long run. We’re additionally considerably investing in refreshing our community, with near £35m allotted for this goal throughout the UK from 2023-24, alongside continued funding in shared options just like the Publish Workplace and banking hubs.”
