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Yorkshire and the Humber has been named the UK’s “worst” area for bank branch access, new analysis by Which? has found.
The region has just 4.4 branches left per 100,000 people and has just 248 branches left to serve a population of 5.6 million.
This means every Yorkshire resident shares their branch with 22,600 others.
Yorkshire and the Humber also has nine Parliamentary constituencies without a single bank branch left, the most of any region, the consumer group’s research found.
These constituencies are: 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.
Barclays has shut the most branches (92) in Yorkshire, followed by HSBC (73) and NatWest (69), since Which? started tracking bank closures in 2015.
Which? added: “Conversely, Halifax, which was founded in Yorkshire, has maintained the largest presence of any bank in the region, with 43 operational branches, followed by Lloyds (32). Both banks are members of the Lloyds Banking Group.”
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Additionally, the East Midlands was found to have the second worst branch-to-people ratio, with 4.6 branches per 100,000 people.
Although Scotland has the “best” access to branches, at 6.9 per 100,000 people, Which? said the uneven spread of its population means people living in more rural areas face long journeys to use a bank.
The research found 6,161 bank branches have been shut across the UK since 2015, representing over three-fifths (62%) of the banking network.
The consumer group explained the impact on local communities can be devastating, with some of the most vulnerable members of society, such as those living with disabilities or on lower incomes, reliant on branches and either unable or unwilling to make the switch to banking digitally.
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But new rules overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulator came into effect last week.
It means banks will need to give more consideration to a local community’s cash needs before deciding to close a branch.
The watchdog will require firms to check whether additional services would be needed should a branch shut its doors or an ATM be switched off and keep facilities open until the additional cash services are available.
New FCA rules also give local residents more say over what their community’s cash needs are. People can request an assessment of whether there are gaps in local cash access and where significant gaps are found, providers will have to deliver reasonable additional cash services.
Many major banks are also sharing facilities through banking hubs with some recently committing to opening 350 hubs by 2029.
Sam Richardson, deputy editor of Which? Money, commented: “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.
“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.”
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A UK Finance spokesperson added: “The banking industry is committed to ensuring there is continued access to cash for those who need it. With fewer people visiting bank branches on a regular basis, firms have to make difficult decisions about maintaining their branches.
“Significant ongoing investment is being made to deliver this commitment, including shared banking hubs, which are being opened around the country with many opened across Yorkshire already.
“There is also the option to do a lot of day-to-day banking at Post Office branches across the country. If you are concerned about your local bank branch closing, please contact them and they will help you find the best alternative for your needs.”