16 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

That would mean opening an account at that branch.

Account numbers are for a particular branch. At most banks if not all the branch number is the first 3 digits of the account number.

By requesting a transfer, they automatically open a new account and transfer the funds, whilst still leaving your old account open for 2 years before that is automatically closed.

 

The alternative is to go back to your old branch, close the account, then take the funds to your new branch to open a new account.

4 minutes ago, dentonian said:

By requesting a transfer, they automatically open a new account and transfer the funds, whilst still leaving your old account open for 2 years before that is automatically closed.

 

The alternative is to go back to your old branch, close the account, then take the funds to your new branch to open a new account.

I don't think that would not be as easy as you wrote it. Many people have tried to open a new account at a different branch of the same bank and had problems. 

After opening a new account it would be easy to transfer the funds to the new account.

Personally I've had no such issues and changed branches 3 times.

Passport, proof of new address and passbook from old branch.

Sit down, have a coffee and 20 minutes later a new account and passbook.