NEARLY three million people will live in a parliamentary constituency without a physical bank branch by the end of the year, research by Which? indicates.

Among the 30 areas is Warrington North, with the area’s MP, Charlotte Nichols, previously stating that residents ‘must not be abandoned by banks looking to cut costs’.

Banks and building societies have closed at an alarming rate in recent years, with more than 5,800 branches shutting since 2015, the consumer group said.

Which? research indicates that 30 parliamentary constituencies, with an estimated population of 2.8million people, will have no physical bank branches left by the end of this year.

Sam Richardson, deputy editor of Which? Money, said: “A closed bank branch is not just a high street eyesore, but one less place for consumers to go to withdraw cash or access in-person banking services.

“Which? research shows that millions of people could be without a local branch by the end of 2024 as banks continue to close at an alarming rate.

“Alternatives like banking hubs could help plug the gaps, but they are being rolled out too slowly, so more must be done to ensure communities get these replacements for their closed bank branches as soon as possible.”

Ms Nichols previously told the Warrington Guardian: “Although following the pandemic many people have become accustomed to mainly using their cards, others, especially those who are older, still rely on cash.

“They must not be abandoned by banks looking to cut costs as we have seen all too much in Warrington or be forced to take a lengthy bus journey just to access their bank services.

“I have met with LINK and other ATM organisations and will continue to press the Treasury not to let vulnerable cash users be left behind.

“We now have more food banks in Warrington than bank branches, which is a sad state of affairs for our town.”

A spokesman for UK Finance, which represents the banking and finance industry, said: “An ever-increasing number of people are using telephone, mobile and internet banking and fewer people are visiting bank branches on a regular basis.

“This means banks are having to make difficult decisions about the number of branches they operate.

“A decision to close one is never taken lightly and only happens after an extensive review of its usage and consideration of other options in the local area.

“The banking industry is committed to ensuring there is continued access to cash for those who need it, when they need it.

“Significant ongoing investment is being made to deliver this commitment, including shared banking hubs, free ATMs and cashback without purchase.

“There are 31 shared banking hubs open now across the country, with a further 70 scheduled to open later this year.

“There is also the option to do a lot of day-to-day banking at the Post Office, which has around 11,500 branches across the UK.”