Bank closures is a controversial topic as branches nationwide have been disappearing from highstreets.

Watford and the surrounding areas have not been immune to the trend, with multiple banks no longer serving customers in person locally.

Consumer choice brand Which? has compiled all the closures in recent years, so we've rounded up a few locally that have shut or will do soon.

Barclays - Abbots Langley

Abbots Langley Barclays closed in 2021 and at the time it was the village’s last remaining bank.

The company had said it found that only 88 customers use the shop “exclusively” for banking.

The closest Barclays banks to the village are the Watford branch and the Hemel Hempstead one.

It officially closed on February 19, 2021.

Lloyds Bank - Garston

It was confirmed in October 2021 that the Garston branch of Lloyds Bank would shut in January 2022.

The site was the only bank in the Garston area, with the closest Lloyds being in atria Watford.

The bank was among 41 Lloyds and seven Halifax branches which shut across the country.

NatWest - Watford Junction 

The banking company confirmed in July 2021 that the Watford Junction site would permanently close in November of the same year.

The reason for this was due to a higher use of online banking as a knock-on effect from the national lockdowns.

It permanently shut its doors on November 10, with the closest branch now being in Watford town centre.

Barclays - Rickmansworth 

The Rickmansworth branch of Barclays closed in September 2022 after the company found that only 22 people used the Church Street location “exclusively” for their banking.

The site has since been put on the market and has been described as a three-storey unit, which could be subdivided into separate businesses.

The closest Barclays bank is now the Watford branch.

Santander - Rickmansworth 

 The bank closed in Rickmansworth in July 2021 and was one of 111 to close during this time.

It was one of four branches in Hertfordshire to close that year.

NatWest - Rickmansworth 

Another closure in Rickmansworth has been confirmed for February 29, 2024.

It follows from the closure of Barclays and Santander in the town centre in recent years.

A letter was sent to some residents who use the NatWest branch, stating “it is a difficult decision and not one we have taken lightly”, and that it “understands that this branch closure may be challenging for many”.

Barclays - Borehamwood 

It has been confirmed by Which? that the Borehamwood store of Barclays will shut permanently in February 2024. 

This is one of 34 sites closing next year.