Do you struggle getting to a bank because your nearest branch has shut in the North East?

Yorkshire and the Humber has just 4.4 branches left per 100,000 people making it the region with the worst branch access, new analysis by Which? has found.

But how does the North East compare?

The region was found to have 5.2 branches left per 100,000 people with 129 branches left open in total, according to the research.

The consumer group also found more than three in every five bank branches (6,161 in total) across the UK have closed their doors permanently since 2015.

Additionally, the East Midlands was found to have the second worst branch-to-people ratio, with 4.6 branches per 100,000 people.

Scotland has the “best” access to branches, at 6.9 per 100,000 people, but Which? said the uneven spread of its population means people living in more rural areas face long journeys to use a bank.

Which? explained the impact on local communities can be devastating, with some of the most vulnerable members of society, such as those living with disabilities or on lower incomes, reliant on branches and either unable or unwilling to make the switch to banking digitally.

The South East is the region that has lost the most branches, Which? said, with 856 closures, followed by London with 804 branches shut. However, these regions had more branches serving larger populations.

Across the UK, there are 30 parliamentary constituencies, representing just over three million people in total without a bank branch, while another 56 are left with only one branch remaining, researchers said.

However, new rules overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulator came into effect last week.

It means banks will need to give more consideration to a local community’s cash needs before deciding to close a branch.

The watchdog will require firms to check whether additional services would be needed should a branch shut its doors or an ATM be switched off and keep facilities open until the additional cash services are available.

New FCA rules also give local residents more say over what their community’s cash needs are. People can request an assessment of whether there are gaps in local cash access and where significant gaps are found, providers will have to deliver reasonable additional cash services.

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Many major banks are also sharing facilities through banking hubs with some recently committing to opening 350 hubs by 2029.

Which? said given the number of branches that have closed in recent years, it wants to see many more hubs opened.

Sam Richardson, deputy editor of Which? Money, commented: “Bank branch closures can have severe impacts on local communities, including on those who still want to use cash. New rules to protect free access to cash have been hard won and should make banks think twice about shutting branches without adequate replacements.

“While Yorkshire and the Humber may hold the dubious record for the worst branch access, this is a nationwide problem. Banking hubs will play a key role in replacing shuttered branches, but their rollout remains far too slow for consumers to feel their benefits.

“The Government must hold banks’ feet to the fire to ensure the commitments they’ve made to set up 350 hubs by 2029 are met – and should be prepared to review the target upwards if necessary.”

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A UK Finance spokesperson added: “The banking industry is committed to ensuring there is continued access to cash for those who need it. With fewer people visiting bank branches on a regular basis, firms have to make difficult decisions about maintaining their branches.

“Significant ongoing investment is being made to deliver this commitment, including shared banking hubs, which are being opened around the country with many opened across Yorkshire already.

“There is also the option to do a lot of day-to-day banking at Post Office branches across the country. If you are concerned about your local bank branch closing, please contact them and they will help you find the best alternative for your needs.”