Three leading retail banks are planning to shut down 71 branches in the upcoming year, citing the increasing trend towards online banking as the reason for the closures. Lloyds Bank, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland, all under the Lloyds Banking Group umbrella, had initially announced these closures earlier this year.
The closure list comprises 40 Lloyds branches, 14 Halifax locations, and 17 Bank of Scotland sites. Customers affected by these closures do have alternatives available to them.
Customers of Lloyds, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland can conduct their everyday banking at branches of any of these three banks. Additionally, they can explore the option of using a “banking hub,” a shared public space where a bank operates on the high street.
A spokesperson from Lloyds Banking Group highlighted the shift in customer banking habits, with over 21 million customers opting to manage their finances through apps. The spokesperson emphasized the increased choices available to customers, combining digital convenience with personalized service.
In addition to the mobile app, customers can utilize any Lloyds, Halifax, or Bank of Scotland branch, the Post Office, or banking hubs for their regular banking needs, and deposit cash at over 30,000 PayPoint locations.