NATWEST has announced the closure of a number of its branches in Cumbria and North Yorkshire this year.

The decision has been made to close the  NatWest Ulverston branch on September 27, the NatWest Keswick branch on October 2, the NatWest Grange-over-Sands branch on October 3, and the NatWest Ambleside and Settle branches on October 9.

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These closures are due to the increase in mobile and online banking, said NatWest.

Between 2010 and 2015, mobile and online transactions have increased by over 400% and mobile transactions alone have increased by 1,350%.

Since 2011, the number of transactions in the Ulverston branch declined by 31%; in Keswick by 49%; Grange Over Sands 49.7%; Ambleside 33%;  and Settle 40%.

These customers are banking in different ways: 62.1% of NatWest Ulverston; 59.2% of NatWest Keswick; 49.7% of Grange-over-Sands; 60.6% of NatWest Ambleside; and 53.8% of NatWest Settle using digital banking options.

Natwest has said it is communicating with customers affected by the closure and contacting vulnerable and regular branch customers.