Despite a swathe of branch closures announced already this year, banking customers still find the ability to bank in person to be an important feature of their account service.

Broken down by age, 44% of over-55s said they would prefer to go into a branch to do their banking, according to the survey of more than 2,400 banking customers by professional services firm Accenture.

Some 30% of 45 to 54-year-olds preferred to their banking in a branch, followed by a fifth of 18 to 34-year-olds.

While a digital-only bank account was held by 38% of those surveyed, just one in 10 used it as their main bank account.

132 branches already lined up for closure in 2023

The findings follow Barclays’ latest announcement that a further 14 bank branches in England and Wales would be shut this summer. It was the third round of closures announced by the bank already this year, amounting to 58.

To continue to support its customers, the bank says it has the largest network of alternative branch sites which come under the brand Barclays Local. With 200 in total, the services are located in libraries, community and shopping centres. It plans to add another 70 sites this year.

So far in 2023, 132 branches have already been confirmed to close across Barclays, TSB, Lloyds and Halifax, NatWest, as well as two from Nationwide and one from Virgin Money.

Jenny Ross, Which? money editor, said: “Access to cash remains hugely important for a significant minority who use it to pay for everyday essentials and keep track of their spending during the cost of living crisis but banks continue to close hundreds of branches – making it harder for people to deposit and withdraw their money.

“Schemes introduced by the banking industry to protect these services, such as banking hubs, are a good start in plugging gaps left by closing physical branches, but they must be rolled out much more quickly if consumers are to feel their benefits.

 “The government must look again at proposals to introduce guaranteed minimum levels of free access to cash.”