Barclays has announced the closure of its Leyburn branch.
The facility is due to shut on May 5, leaving Wensleydale without any bank branches following a run of closures in recent years.
Barclays in Bedale is also closing on April 26.
Barclays says the Leyburn branch is used by just 19 regular customers and Bedale branch is used by 17.
The announcement was greater with anger from local residents and community leaders.
County councillor Karin Sedgwick said the news was “disastrous” for the town.
“There’s so many people who rely on it. I think we really need to make our feelings know although it might not do any good as Barclays is a big company and we are just a small town.”
Leyburn town councillor and local business owner Richard Sanderson said the announcement was “very disappointing”.
“It seems that very little consideration has been given to the older generation and those who aren’t maybe as tech savvy as others.
“It is also potentially going to mean another empty building in Leyburn, with the former HSBC branch now empty and Serendipity only partially used.”
Reacting to the announcement, Richmond MP Rishi Sunak said he would write to Barclays seeking assurances that customers affected by branch closures in Bedale and Leyburn would be given comprehensive help to access banking services.
Mr Sunak, MP for Richmond (Yorks), welcomed Barclays’ pledge to maintain a regular presence in both towns but said he wanted to know the bank will provide adequate support to affected customers.
He said: “I want to make sure that the bank is doing all it can to mitigate the difficulties it may cause some customers who are used to doing all their banking by visiting a physical branch.
“I will be asking Barclays to provide one-to-one mentoring to individuals who need the most help to adjust and also that the community venue they choose to host the replacement service is convenient and accessible.”
Announcing, the decision today, Barclays said: “Back when we opened this branch, visiting us in person was one of the only ways to do your banking.
“Now, as there are lots of ways to manage your money without even leaving your home, we’re seeing many customers choosing to bank using our app, and online or telephone banking.
“This has had a big impact on the number of customers coming in to see us.”
The statement added: “We want to reassure you that we’re here to help. We’ll stay in your community and you’ll be able to talk to us in person.
“We’re finalising the details of where we’ll be based, and when, to support you with your banking, and we‘ll share the details locally once confirmed.”
The decision means that from May 5 the nearest Barclays branch will be in Richmond.
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As people have said it’s going to hit the older generation more I think,who are not up with tech ,and to have no cash point either,people who do not drive have to catch a bus to Richmond to get cash that’s crazy .
How until they shut the Richmond branch of Barclays?
People are being forced to use on-line banking, there is little choice. So much for customer care. I have been a customer for 46 years. Maybe it’s about time I look elsewhere.
Rubbish saying there are only 19 regular customers, every time we go in there are always at least six people waiting. We moved to Barclays when HSBC in Leyburn closed. They told us they wouldn’t be closing.
The worst thing that could have happened was when Barclays took over the Swaledale and Wensleydale Banking Co in 1899. They should have left it alone.
If it’s only used by 19 regular customers, why do I always have to queue when I use the bank?
How about asking the Newcastle Building Society to offer basic banking facilities as they do in Hawes?