BREAKING THE BANK

Hundreds of towns left without a single branch by closures

- JOHN STEVENS

ALMOST 400 towns have been told their last local bank is closing in the past two years.

Many people, particularly the elderly, have been left in "banking deserts", unable to manage their money as branches disappear.

Since the start of 2022, the major banks have announced the closure of 388 branches in places where there are no alternatives nearby.

Age UK says older people are at risk of financial exclusion as they are not used to accessing online services.

And business groups have raised concerns about small firms losing valuable time due to having to travel further to pay in money.