Nationwide has announced it will continue to keep every one of its 696 Nationwide and Virgin Money branches open until at least 2030, despite many other banks closing theirs. The pledge extends its existing Branch Promise by at least another two years, with bosses confirming that the commitment applies even when a Nationwide branch and a Virgin Money branch are close to each other.
The announcement follows a continuous wave of closures across Ƶ towns, with figures from consumer group Which? showing 6,561 branches have been closed in the last 10 years. Nationwide – which is the last bank in town in 133 areas, including Blyth, Northumberland – said closures have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable customers, including older people, many of whom rely on face-to-face services and support.
It says younger people also rely on branches, with more than 10% of its new student accounts being opened in bricks-and-mortar branches this new academic year. The announcement continues Nationwide’s commitment to local communities, assuring Virgin Money and Nationwide customers that their vital banking services will remain accessible, whether in-branch, online, or via mobile.
Dame Debbie Crosbie, group chief executive at Nationwide, said: “Our customers can be confident that they can bank with us whichever way they choose. Branches are important to our customers, to communities, and to the health of our High Streets. That’s why Nationwide will continue to keep branches open in addition to our investment in online and telephone channels.”
Nationwide acquired Virgin Money in October 2024, completing its £2.9bn to acquire the business and its 91 branches, adding to Nationwide’s 605 branches to become the Ƶ’s biggest single-brand banking network. Since January, another 33 Nationwide branches became the last in town when other banks closed their branches, and data shows its branches are picking up business because they’re valued so much by customers.
In the 12 months to September, there was an 11% increase in the number of customers using Nationwide’s branches. Over 33% of Nationwide current accounts and 22% of savings accounts were opened in branch in the six months to the end of September, with volumes up 28 % and 31% respectively year-on-year.
Where Nationwide became the last branch in town in 2025, current account openings were up 29% year-on-year. ATM usage across those branches was up by 25% and there was also a 96% increase for non-Nationwide customers using in-branch ATMs.
Nationwide’s Branch Promise comes less than two weeks after Blyth and Ashington MP Ian Lavery accused banks of “abandoning” the high street. He launched a damning attack on the closures at Prime Minister’s Questions, highlighting how his constituency alone has lost banks in Guide Post, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Bedlington and Blyth between 1999 and 2025.
Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer responded: "I know how important face-to-face banking is on our high streets. As he says, we have committed to rolling out 350 banking hubs across the United Kingdom, and over 180 are already open.
“However, I want to reassure him that 350 is not the limit; although decisions over hubs are taken independently, they can be rolled out wherever a community needs one. I am happy to make sure the relevant Minister follows up with details for him.”
