A closure date for Hatfield's Halifax branch has been announced, the last bank remaining in the town.

The branch at 17 Town Centre will shut down on June 25, 2024, completing a banking exodus that has already seen HSBC, Lloyds, Santander and Barclays all leave the town since 2021.

"The world is becoming more digital than ever before and more of our customers are doing their everyday banking online," said a spokesperson for Halifax. 

"With more customers banking digitally, we've seen a fall in branch visits. Because of this, we've decided to close this branch.

"We’re still here to support you, and there’s a number of ways you can do your everyday banking with us, either online, on your mobile, over the phone or at a Post Office.

"You can use any of our branches, and the nearest alternative is the Welwyn Garden City branch."

Halifax revealed that just 99 of their customers used the branch regularly in 12 months to April 2023, with transactions down 54 per cent from 2018.

The town is set for a banking boost though, with LINK, the UK’s cash access and ATM network, set to open a banking hub in Hatfield after identifying it as requiring further cash services.

Banking hubs are a shared banking space, similar to a traditional bank branch, but available to everyone.

The hub will consist of a counter service operated by Post Office employees, where customers of any bank can withdraw and deposit cash, make bill payments and carry out regular banking transactions.

In addition, there will be private spaces where customers can speak to community bankers from their own bank for more complicated matters that require specialist knowledge or privacy.

The banks will be working on a rotating basis, so there will be staff from different banks available on different days.

"We’re very pleased to recommend a new hub in Hatfield," said Chris Ashton, head of banking services at LINK.

"Access to cash and face-to-face banking services are very important and the banking hubs will be vital for local consumers and businesses."