Overview
- The guarantee extends the society’s Branch Promise by two years and covers both 605 Nationwide sites and 91 Virgin Money branches, including locations that sit close together.
- Nationwide reports an 11% rise in branch visits over the past year, with 33% of current accounts and 22% of savings opened in branch in the six months to the end of September.
- The society says it is now the only remaining branch in 133 towns and villages, with 33 locations becoming the last in town since January.
- The commitment contrasts with industry-wide retrenchment, as Which? estimates 6,731 UK bank branches will have closed by the end of next year.
- Nationwide highlights branches’ community role, citing dementia clinics, digital skills sessions, safe spaces for domestic abuse survivors and strong take-up by younger customers such as students.