Yorkshire and the Humber has been identified as the region with the poorest bank branch to population ratio in the UK, according to research by Which?
The area now only boasts 248 branches for its 5.6 million residents, translating to a mere 4.4 branches per 100,000 people. This means every Yorkshire resident shares their branch with a staggering 22,557 others. The research was carried out up to September 23, 2024.
Back in January 2015, Yorkshire and the Humber had 728 open branches, equating to 13 branches per 100,000 people. Since then, a whopping two thirds of the branches (480) have shut down.
READ MORE: Vince McMahon claims on Netflix to have ‘three brains’ – one is for ‘fun and sex’
Click for more of the latest news from across the world from the Daily Star.
(Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Bank branch accessibility has been a progressively worsening issue over the past decade across all UK regions. Scotland, despite having the “best” access to branches at 6.9 per 100,000 people, still sees its population spread unevenly across the country, causing those in more rural areas to face lengthy trips to use a bank.
The West Midlands region fares slightly better, with six branches per 100,000 people. However, the East Midlands region suffers from the second worst access to banks per population, with just 4.6 branches per 100,000 people.
Which? research also reveals that a shocking 6,161 bank branches have closed nationwide since 2015, accounting for over three-fifths (62%) of the entire banking network. The impact on local communities can be devastating, particularly for the most vulnerable members of society, such as those living with disabilities or on lower incomes, who rely on branches and are either unable or unwilling to transition to digital banking.
(Image: In Pictures via Getty Images)
Nine parliamentary constituencies in Yorkshire and the Humber are now without a single bank branch: Barnsley South, Bradford South, Colne Valley, Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme, Ossett and Denby Dale, Penistone and Stocksbridge, Rawmarsh and Conisbrough, Sheffield Hallam and York Outer. Additionally, six constituencies are down to their last branch: Bradford East, Brigg and Immingham, Calder Valley, Normanton and Hemsworth, Sheffield Heeley and Spen Valley.
Sam Richardson, Deputy Editor of Which? Money, said: “Bank branch closures can have severe impacts on local communities including on those who still want to use cash. New rules to protect free access to cash have been hard won and should make banks think twice about shutting branches without adequate replacements.
(Image: In Pictures via Getty Images)
“While Yorkshire and the Humber may hold the dubious record for the worst branch access, this is a nationwide problem. Banking hubs will play a key role in replacing shuttered branches, but their rollout remains far too slow for consumers to feel their benefits.
“The government must hold banks’ feet to the fire to ensure the commitments they’ve made to set up 350 hubs by 2029 are met – and should be prepared to review the target upwards if necessary.”
The number of bank branches counted by Which? and the total per 100,000 people is:
- Scotland, 377, 6.9
- West Midlands, 364, 6.0
- Wales, 188, 5.9
- Northern Ireland, 110, 5.8
- South West, 324, 5.6
- South East, 520, 5.5
- London, 481, 5.4
- North East, 142, 5.2
- East of England, 328, 5.1
- North West, 384, 5.1
- East Midlands, 229, 4.6
- Yorkshire and the Humber, 248, 4.4
The 30 constituencies without a bank branch, according to Which?:
- Barnsley South
- Bolton West
- Bradford South
- Central Suffolk and North Ipswich
- Chatham and Aylesford
- Chester South and Eddisbury
- Colne Valley
- Dagenham and Rainham
- Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme
- East Worthing and Shoreham
- Erith and Thamesmead
- Glasgow North East
- Glasgow South West
- Liverpool Wavertree
- Manchester Rusholme
- Mid Bedfordshire
- Mid Derbyshire
- North East Derbyshire
- Ossett and Denby Dale
- Penistone and Stocksbridge
- Plymouth Moor View
- Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
- Reading West and Mid Berkshire
- Rhondda and Ogmore
- Sheffield Hallam
- St Helens North
- Stockton West
- Warrington North
- West Ham and Beckton
- York Outer
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.