PNC's $4.1 billion cash and stock deal to buy FirstBank means the consolidation of yet another regional bank. It also comes as banks — such as JPMorgan and Wells Fargo — are shuttering branches to save money and adapt as more people conduct their banking online and via mobile apps.
According to S&P Global, 148 bank branches closed in the first quarter of 2025. The list of banks that have announced nationwide branch closures includes Wells Fargo, TD Bank, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Flagstar. The closures followed a particularly busy 2024, during which 965 bank branches closed their doors, S&P Global reports.
Those closings leave many retirees adrift, not sure of what to do next. While the preference to conduct banking online and via mobile is growing across generations, millions of older adults still visit branches in person.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free 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.
That’s particularly true among baby boomers, or those born between 1946 and 1964. The American Bankers Association found that 13% of baby boomers visit branches. Among Generation X, or those born between 1960 and 1980, 8% prefer to bank at a branch.
Meanwhile, 4% of millennials and Gen Z will visit a physical bank. That amounts to millions of Americans who still find value in banking in person.
What retirees can do in the wake of a local bank closing
“If your bank is closing a local branch, don’t panic — but don’t delay, either,” says Howard Dvorkin, CPA and Chairman of Debt.com. “Be proactive. Get support. And know that managing money in today’s world means staying flexible. With the right help, even big changes like this can become manageable.”
If you are among the people who use a physical bank and your local branch is closing, here are four things you can do.
1. Embrace online banking
The COVID-19 pandemic forced millions of Americans to try online shopping for the first time. After all, stores were shuttered, and that was the only option.
The same can be said for online banking, especially if you live in a rural area or small town where your bank is closing and your options are limited.
Sure, there is a learning curve with online banking, and yes, you may have to enlist the grandkids or a trusted friend to help get started. But online banking is not only convenient; once you get the hang of it, it is easy to do.
“Lots of online banks offer more services that make them a much more attractive option,” says Stephen Kates, a financial analyst at Bankrate. “A lot of these banks don’t have any costs built in, so they aren’t going to nickel and dime you. They don’t have as many annoying fees.”
If digital banking feels intimidating, you can ask for one-on-one help or seek free classes from local libraries or senior centers, Dvorkin says. “Banks increasingly offer these resources. There’s no shame in asking for help."
2. Rely on ATMs
Many people tend to be loyal to a bank. According to Bankrate data, the average banking customer has been with their financial institution for 15 to 17 years.
Breaking up may be hard to do, but the good news is that just because the branch is closing doesn’t mean you can’t access one of your bank’s ATMs. You won’t get charged for using an ATM owned by your bank, and you can make deposits and withdrawals from the screen.
Plus, you don’t have to worry about branch hours. If you have any questions, you can always call your bank for help.
3. Use a different bank branch
If your bank isn’t closing entirely, and there are other branches in the area, you can simply start banking at a new one. You won’t have to do anything other than travel potentially further to reach your bank.
“Start with a call to your bank and ask what support they offer during the transition. Many institutions provide help with setting up online banking or connecting with nearby branches,” says Dvorkin.
4. Search for an alternative bank
If all else fails, you can always switch to another bank that caters to retirees or consider moving your money to a credit union.
"Switching banks may seem stressful, but it’s easier than you think. Make a checklist — set up your new account, redirect direct deposits like Social Security, update bill payments, and then close your old account once everything’s transferred," says Dvorkin. "The key is to take it slow and focus on the basics: checking balances, making payments, and using alerts to monitor activity."
Credit unions are tied to the community and can be found throughout the country, said Alison Pahlkotter, an innovation product designer and research analyst at GreenPath Financial Wellness, a non-profit financial wellness counseling service.
You can find one near you through the National Credit Union Administration’s online search tool. Credit unions offer the same level of deposit insurance as the FDIC, so you don’t have to worry about losing your money.
“Credit unions for the average consumer are the identical experience,” says Pahlkotter. “I have my car loan through my credit union, a nice rewards credit card, and my deposit and checking accounts, plus I have a full online banking experience with them.”
5. Don't fight change
Change is hard, especially if you have been doing your banking at a particular branch for years, but it's important to embrace change. The sooner you do, the quicker you can get established online with a mobile banking app or at a new financial institution
Remember don't be afraid to ask for help or seek assistance from friends, family members or your community. There are many resources avaibale to help your during the transition.
Related content
-
Quiz: Do You Know What Medicare Gives You for Free?This quiz tests your knowledge of the services that Medicare provides at no cost to you.
-
5 Multibagger Stocks With Amazing Returns in 2025multibagger stocks As the term suggests, multibagger stocks multiply your money – gains of 1,200%, for example. Here's where to look for that kind of performance this year.
-
Quiz: Do You Know What Medicare Gives You for Free?
This quiz tests your knowledge of the services that Medicare provides at no cost to you.
-
T-Mobile's Free iPhone 17 Deal: A Smart Switch or a Hidden Catch?Receive a free iPhone 17 when you switch to T-Mobile. We'll explain whether the deal is worth it.
-
How an Expired Passport Thwarted Blackmail (and What Other Important Documents You Should Keep)An optometrist produced his expired passport to foil a blackmail attempt by the daughter of a former employee. After proving he was out of the country on the date of a forged diary entry, he took it a step further.
-
Optimize, Grow, Retain: The Power of Annual Client ReviewsFinancial advisers can use annual reviews to help enhance client outcomes, strengthen relationships and build their practice.
-
Confused About the New COVID Vaccine and Medicare? What You Need to KnowGetting the new COVID-19 vaccine covered by Medicare isn't as easy this year as it was in the past. Here's what you need to know before you take a trip to your pharmacy.
-
How Digital Platforms Are Changing the Way You Invest in GoldInvesting in gold is easier than ever thanks to digital platforms. Learn how online tools are lowering costs, increasing transparency and making gold accessible to all investors.
-
Don't Disinherit Your Grandchildren: The Hidden Risks of Retirement Account Beneficiary FormsStandard retirement account beneficiary forms may not be flexible enough to ensure your money passes to family members according to your wishes. Naming a trust as the contingent beneficiary can help avoid these issues. Here's how.
-
This Is How Life Insurance Can Fund Your Dreams NowBeyond a death benefit, life insurance can provide significant financial value and flexibility through 'living benefits' while you are still alive, helping with expenses like education, business ventures or retirement.
