Community leaders have expressed their 'sadness' as the last bank in Haverhill is closing its doors - but said they are 'confident' a new banking hub will reassure residents.
Lloyds in High Street shut for the final time on Monday, leaving the west Suffolk town with no bank branches.
The bank was due to close down on June 25 after the banking giant announced a round of closures last year, but bosses kept it open so that a banking hub could be set up in the town.
The hub opened on November 12 offering a counter service operated by the Post Office where customers of all major banks can carry out transactions.
Joe Mason, who represents Haverhill North on West Suffolk Council, said the closure reflects the "changing patterns of behaviour in how people bank, with increasing numbers of people just using online banking."
He continued: "However many people approached me regarding the importance of over the counter services. Local businesses, market traders, local clubs and indeed residents made representations to me about the need to have high street banking.
"As each bank closed people become more and more concerned."
"It is sad to see the last of our national banks close on the High Street as they used to be such an integral part of how our communities functioned," Mr Mason said.
"I can remember how lines would stretch outside of the banks with people waiting to be served.
"Times have changed but I am confident that what we now have in place provides the services and the reassurance people need to carry out their day-to-day banking for the foreseeable future," he added.
And David Smith, who represents Haverhill South on West Suffolk Council, said: "It is always disappointing when businesses on our High Street close their doors, and their absence leaves a visible scar.
"The shopping habits for many have changed to online and home delivery, and this is reflected in the way that people carry out their banking transactions to the extent that footfall in our banks has dropped, in the banks' opinion, to an unsustainable level."
"Whilst we are sad to see Lloyds go, we are pleased that the banking hub that recently opened in the town will provide these services through a post office counter, which will complement the existing services already on offer at our main post office branch," he added.
When Lloyds announced its Haverhill branch would close it said 81% of the branch's customers used other ways of banking, such as mobile, internet, or telephone banking as well as other branches.
A Lloyds Bank spokesman said: “As many customers now choose to bank online or through their mobile app, visits to our Haverhill branch have fallen over recent years.
"Customers can use the local Post Office for everyday banking which is a short walk away, access cash at the nearby free-to-use ATMs, alongside other ways to bank such as over the telephone and online, or the new banking hub once it is up and running.“
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