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Hundreds more bank branches have either closed or are set to close this year, with London and the South East the hardest hit.

Data from ATM provider Link show that a total of 636 bank branches are due to close by the end of this year, with 424 shut so far. An additional 36 branches, mainly Halifax and Lloyds, are closing in 2024.

London has lost 61 bank branches since January, with another 41 to close by the end of the year. Communities in the South East have seen 70 branches shuttered, with 28 more to disappear over the next few months. Seventy branches will close in the East of England this year, according to Link, with the South West to lose 82.

It comes as the Government and financial regulators pile pressure on banks to ensure customers have free access to cash amid a flurry of branch closures.

Last month ministers announced that banks will be forced to provide customers with free access to cash within three miles of their homes.

The Financial Conduct Authority warned banks that branches cannot be closed unless “additional cash services” are available.

Analysis from consumer group Which? shows 735 bank branches in the UK shut in 2021, and 662 last year. The group estimates that after this year’s closures, there will be just over 4,000 bank branches left, with 5,600 having closed since January 2015.

Last September it was announced that Link, the Cash Action Group (CAG) and banking representatives would roll out 80 shared bank hubs across the UK.

These hubs would be run by the Post Office with deposit and cash facilities for several banks. But the initiative has been branded “too slow” by Which? as only seven hubs have opened to date.

Sam Richardson, of CAG, said: “These figures show… the most vulnerable people in our society cut adrift from vital in-person services.”

Since 2015, NatWest has closed the most branches, shutting 1,147 outlets when its RBS brand is included. Barclays has scrapped 962 and Lloyds 629. Banks blame closures on a lack of demand amid the rise of internet and mobile banking.