Bank chiefs have defended the closure of a branch in Mirfield, saying only 45 customers a week use it.
A NatWest spokesman said it had been a “difficult decision” to take but there were five other branches within a six-mile radius, the nearest three miles away in Dewsbury.
The bank, only open four days a week on limited hours, has reached agreement with Mirfield Post Office to allow customers to check their balance and deposit and withdraw money. Businesses will also be able to obtain coinage.
In a statement the bank said: “The number of transactions taking place at Mirfield branch has dropped by 22% since 2011 and only 45 customers use the branch on a regular weekly basis. Nineteen of these customers already use other branches in the area.
“We are committed to following the UK Government protocol on branch closures and we have made the decision following careful consideration of a wide range of factors including branch usage and the alternative ways our customers can bank with us locally.
“Our customers are increasingly using alternative ways to bank such as online and mobile banking. As a result, branch transactions have declined by around 36% since 2010 whilst online and mobile transactions have grown by more than 300%.
“Only 9% of their total transactions are now undertaken in branches in comparison to 25% in 2010.”
The bank intends to write to all customers.
The HSBC closed in Mirfield in 2011 followed by Barclays two years later.
The town is left with just one bank, the Halifax, and a Yorkshire Building Society branch.
