Over a fifth of Brits haven’t visited a bank branch in the last year
New research shows that 21% of UK consumers haven’t visited a bank branch in the last year, up from 14% in the previous year
New research shows that 21% of UK consumers haven’t visited a bank branch in the last year
- 16% of Brits haven’t visited a branch within the last two years
- 64% of Brits would miss their high street branch if it closed
- The concept of a ‘banking hub’ and what could be the future of bank branches is still not well known
Since the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the transition to online banking, UK individuals are visiting their local bank branches less often and less frequently. Just 13% of respondents had visited a bank branch in the last week compared with 18% in 2022. Similarly, a fifth (20%) of UK individuals had visited a bank branch in the last month, down from a quarter (25%) in 2022.
As bank branches close, the digital offerings of banks are becoming increasingly important to consumers. Over a third of individuals (34%) now consider an app that is simple to use as being the most important interaction they have with their bank – up from 25% last year.
Karim Haji, Global and UK Head of Financial Services at KPMG, comments: “While the transition to more digital banking is desirable for most, bricks and mortar bank branches are still a vital way for vulnerable members of society to manage their personal finances. During this challenging economic period, they offer a means for individuals to access or deposit cash, a timeless budgeting tool, and discuss their finances with a bank manager face to face.”
“Banks must recognise the importance of having access to a bank branch and manage their branch networks sensitively. The banking sector is already exploring innovative new ways to enable customers to access services in person - such as through multi-bank hubs – today’s research demonstrates just how important it is that work happens at a pace.”
Individuals earning at or below the minimum wage were the most likely demographic to state that they would miss their bank branch if it closed.
‘Banking hubs’ are still not well
Just 38% of Brits polled said that they had previously heard of a ‘Bank Hub’ – shared spaces on the high street letting customers of multiple banks deposit and withdraw cash and perform other everyday banking tasks – up from 28% in 2021.
Connect with us
- Find office locations kpmg.findOfficeLocations
- kpmg.emailUs
- Social media @ KPMG kpmg.socialMedia
Save, Curate and Share
Save what resonates, curate a library of information, and share content with your network of contacts.
Karim added: “Although the rollout of banking hubs has so far been fairly muted, with only a handful of hubs open today, as more banking hubs open across the UK they’ll likely become more well-known and popular as they open in areas which have experienced bank branch closures.”
The factors that would make the Brits polled most likely to visit a bank hub were if they knew they could help with a particular issue (33%) or if it were close to their home (32%).
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
1Research conducted, on behalf of KPMG UK by One between the 27th November and the 4th December 2023, with a nationally representative sample size of 2,000 UK Adults
Follow us on twitter: @kpmguk
For further information please contact:
KPMG Media Relations
Helen Jackson and Petra Shuttlewood (job share)
M: +4479 0111 5649
Gerard Swinley
Gerard.swinley@kpmg.co.uk
M: +44 7510 375540
About KPMG
KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership, operates from 20 offices across the UK with approximately 17,000 partners and staff. The UK firm recorded a revenue of £2.72 billion in the year ended 30 September 2022.
KPMG is a global organization of independent professional services firms providing Audit, Legal, Tax and Advisory services. It operates in 143 countries and territories with more than 265,000 partners and employees working in member firms around the world. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee. KPMG International Limited and its related entities do not provide services to clients.