U.S. Banks Closed 3,000 Branches Last Year: The Kiplinger Letter (2024)

U.S. Banks continue to shut down branches, in numbers not seen since the initial wave of bank closures in 2008, while allocating funds for new online technology. To help you understand what is going on in the banking and the financial sector, and what we expect to happen in the future, our highly experienced Kiplinger Letter team will keep you abreast of the latest developments and forecasts (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Letter or subscribe). You'll get all the latest news first by subscribing, but we will publish many (but not all) of the forecasts a few days afterward online. Here’s the latest…

Banks are closing branches faster than they’re opening new ones. U.S. banks closed over 3,000 branches last year while opening just 1,000. JPMorgan Chase led in branch closures last year, shuttering 144 branches, while opening 133. The trend will likely continue as banks face staunch competition for deposits and younger customers from online banks, fintech firms and Big Tech.

Note that the number of bank closures varies widely by area. Between 2017 and 2021, more than 7,000 branches were closed in the U.S., which represents 9% of all locations. One-third of these closures have been in areas with large minority populations.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters

Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.

Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.

The initial wave of closures was sparked by mergers and acquisitions in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. More recently, changing consumer preferences and improved banking tech are the reasons given for ditching brick-and-mortar locations. It shows that big-bank investment in tech is paying off, as new apps and websites with an expanding array of services have lured more customers.

This first appeared in The Kiplinger Letter, which has been running since 1923 and is a collection of concise weekly forecasts on business and economic trends, as well as what to expect from Washington, to help you understand what’s coming up to make the most of your investments and your money. Subscribe to The Kiplinger Letter.

Related Content

U.S. Banks Closed 3,000 Branches Last Year: The Kiplinger Letter (2)

To continue reading this article
please register for free

This is different from signing in to your print subscription


Why am I seeing this? Find out more here

U.S. Banks Closed 3,000 Branches Last Year: The Kiplinger Letter (2024)

FAQs

U.S. Banks Closed 3,000 Branches Last Year: The Kiplinger Letter? ›

However, according to Kiplinger, they are closing branches quicker than opening new ones. Last year, banks closed over 3,000 branches and only opened 1,000. JPMorgan Chase closed the most branches – 144 – while opening 133. These bank closures go hand-in-hand with the rise of digital banking.

Why did Bank of America close so many branches? ›

BofA branches in Hayward, Los Altos, Pinole and St. Helena, among others, have also already closed. “Financial center closures are driven by changing banking behaviors and where we have multiple financial centers close together,” a BofA spokesperson told KRON4.

Why are US banks closing? ›

Experts say the number of bank branches has been falling nationwide since the Great Recession, but the trend accelerated after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. They say the closures impact small business owners, rural residents and low- to moderate-income communities the most.

What banks are closing down in 2024? ›

Bank of Scotland, Halifax and Lloyds to close 177 branches in 2024/25 – here's the full list, plus alternatives. Bank of Scotland, Halifax and Lloyds, which are all part of the Lloyds Banking Group, will shut at least 177 of their bank branches in 2024 and 2025, the Group has confirmed.

Is the US bank in danger of closing? ›

One hundred seventy-five branches have been closed this year, with the bank reporting that they plan to close more locations in early 2024. California has seen 100 of these closures, where it appears the bank is attempting to lower its physical footprint.

Is Bank of America going under? ›

While there are always risks involved in the banking industry, Bank of America does not appear to be in imminent danger of collapse. However, customers and investors should always monitor the bank's financial health and risk profile and stay informed of any changes or developments that may affect the bank's stability.

Are credit unions safer than banks? ›

Generally, credit unions are viewed as safer than banks, although deposits at both types of financial institutions are usually insured at the same dollar amounts. The FDIC insures deposits at most banks, and the NCUA insures deposits at most credit unions.

Which bank are in trouble in USA? ›

Earlier last year Silicon Valley Bank failed March 10, 2023, and then Signature Bank failed two days later, ending the unusual streak of more than 800 days without a bank failure. Before Citizens Bank failed in November 2023, Heartland Tri-State Bank failed July 28, 2023 and First Republic Bank failed May 1, 2023.

What bank is failing in 2024? ›

State regulators closed Republic First Bank in April 2024, marking the first bank failure of the year. Fulton Bank entered into an agreement with the FDIC to purchase most of Republic First's $6 billion in assets and to assume most of its $4 billion in deposit liabilities.

What is happening with USA banks? ›

What is happening with banks and are they collapsing? In the US, regulators have shut down and sold three mid-size US banks since the beginning of March - Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and First Republic. The failures are the biggest to hit the US since the 2008 financial crisis.

What banks are going out of business? ›

Two major California banks — Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic — have failed. While some banking industry leaders have said the immediate crisis is over, stock prices for other regional banks, including PacWest and Western Alliance, fell this week.

What happens if my bank branch closes? ›

If your local bank branch closes, you might consider searching for a nearby branch, finding a convenient ATM, banking online or switching to a different bank altogether.

What happens if your bank closes? ›

If your bank closes, you should receive notification of what will happen to your money from the FDIC or NCUA, the acquiring bank or both. You'll automatically have an account at the new bank, or the FDIC or NCUA will issue you a payment returning your funds.

Which U.S. banks are most at risk? ›

In addition to First Republic Bank, these regional banks are also facing above-average liquidity and/or above-average capital risks:
  • Truist Financial.
  • KeyCorp KEY.
  • Comerica.
Mar 15, 2023

Why are so many U.S. banks failing? ›

Inflation, recessions, and housing market crashes can all cause banks to shut down. Regulation: The government provides many regulations that banks must follow, especially after the 2008 recession. Specifically, the FDIC protects individuals against losing their deposits if an insured bank fails.

How stable is U.S. Bank? ›

Fitch Affirms U.S. Bancorp at 'A+'; Outlook Stable. Fitch Ratings - New York - 16 Oct 2023: Fitch Ratings has affirmed U.S. Bancorp and its subsidiaries' (USB) Long- and Short-Term Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) at 'A+' and 'F1', respectively. The Rating Outlook is Stable.

Why did Bank of America close their drive thru? ›

The bank began closing drive-up windows in other states as early as 2013, citing declining traffic as more customers bank using their mobile devices. Bank of America officials say they now have 17 million mobile banking customers making 200,000 deposits a day.

Is Bank of America downsizing? ›

Bank of America was one of the first major corporations to start majorly shedding its office space even before the frenzy of remote and hybrid work. It has let go of nearly 40 million square feet in the past 15 years, CEO Brian Moynihan said in a CNBC interview on Tuesday.

Is Bank of America closing 55 branches across the country? ›

55 total Bank of America branches will be closing across the country before the end of 2024. Some will be closing as early as March 5th. There will also be Bank of America branch Closings in California, Georgia and Massachusetts, as well as Washington state.

What bank did Bank of America takeover? ›

The deal closed July 1, 2007. On September 14, 2007, Bank of America won approval from the Federal Reserve to acquire LaSalle Bank Corporation from ABN AMRO for $21 billion. With this purchase, Bank of America possessed $1.7 trillion in assets. A Dutch court blocked the sale until it was later approved in July.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: The Hon. Margery Christiansen

Last Updated:

Views: 5882

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: The Hon. Margery Christiansen

Birthday: 2000-07-07

Address: 5050 Breitenberg Knoll, New Robert, MI 45409

Phone: +2556892639372

Job: Investor Mining Engineer

Hobby: Sketching, Cosplaying, Glassblowing, Genealogy, Crocheting, Archery, Skateboarding

Introduction: My name is The Hon. Margery Christiansen, I am a bright, adorable, precious, inexpensive, gorgeous, comfortable, happy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.