A MAJOR bank is to make a big change at 32 branches in just days, in a bid to help meet customer demand. Metro Bank has announced it will extend Saturday opening hours from February 1 following calls from customers. The move comes as most banks continue to reduce opening hours and close branches up and down the country.
![[people walking in front of a metro bank that is open 7 days a week]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/crop-26679416.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Metro Bank's selected 32 branches will extend their opening hours, which are currently 11am to 4pm, to the new timings of 9.30am to 5pm. This will mean the branches offer the longest Saturday opening hours of any high street bank. All other Metro Bank branches will remain open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm.
Kerry Reynolds, director of retail and business banking at Metro Bank, said: “Customers wanted more time on Saturday mornings and we have listened and responded. "We have extended when we are open for our customers’ convenience and benefit giving them more time to meet and talk through any of their banking needs face-to-face with one of our colleagues.
“Personal and business customers can still bank with us outside these hours in the Metro Bank app, online banking and our telephone service.”. Metro Bank will be extending Saturday opening hours at the following branches:. Metro Bank has 75 branches across England and Wales and is opening new locations in Chester and Gateshead before June 2025.
The bank is bucking a trend that has seen 1,500 branch closures announced since 2022, according to data from ATM provider LINK. Figures compiled by Which? showed that banks and building societies have closed 6,161 branches since January 2015 at a rate of around 53 each month.
