Latest news with #branchclosures
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
All the 102 bank branches shutting this month including Lloyds, Santander, NatWest and Halifax
DOZENS more branches are closing in June in a blow to customers who rely on in-person banking. Some of the biggest banks including Lloyds, NatWest, Santander and Halifax are axing sites over the coming days and weeks. 1 NatWest said in January it would close down 53 branches across this year. Santander then announced in March it would be closing more than a fifth of its high street branches. Halifax and Lloyds are both owned by Lloyds Banking Group which has the largest branch network in Britain. The group has announced 254 branches closures taking place over the next year. Here are the branches being lost this month: Lloyds Alcester June 25 Ashbourne June 24 Dorchester June 19 Launceston June 3 Liverpool June 4 New Milton June 13 Pembroke Dock June 26 Sheffield June 26 Southampton June 9 Southsea June 2 Spennymoor June 26 Stanley June 26 Tonypandy June 30 Warwick June 24 Welwyn Garden City June 11 Woodbridge June 25 Halifax Bitterne – June 9 Bournemouth – June 4 Felixstowe - June 2 Fleetwood - June 25 Gainsborough - June 2 Kingsbury - June 2 Horsforth - June 3 Launceston - June 3 Letchworth - June 3 Leek - June 4 Littlehampton - June 23 London (North West) – June 2 Mold - June 5 Welwyn Garden City - June 11 St Annes On Sea - June 12 NatWest Accrington - June 5 Alfreton - June 2 Beverley - June 25 Bridlington - June 11 Ellesmere Port - June 4 Garstang - June 26 Keighley - June 16 Leeds, Cross Gates - June 10 Leek - June 16 Manchester - June 11 Mansfield - June 26 Mexborough - June 3 Nantwich - June 19 Newark-on-Trent - June 17 Nottingham, West Bridgford - June 24 St Annes On Sea - June 24 Stafford - June 25 Stockport, Hazel Grove - June 19 Stockport, Heaton Moor - June 3 Stockton-on-Tees - June 4 Stoke-on-Trent, Longton - June 5 Uttoxeter - June 2 Washington - June 17 Worksop - June 18 Inside the hubs restoring high street banking and reversing the tide of mass branch closures Santander Aberdare - 24 June Arbroath - 17 June Blackwood - 23 June Brecon - 25 June Clacton - 16 June Colne - 14 June Croydon - 16 June Dungannon - 23 June Eltham - 23 June Fleet - 30 June Gateshead Metro - 16 June Glasgow LDHQ - 24 June Glasgow MX - 23 June Greenford - 24 June Kidderminster - 18 June Kilburn - 17 June Launceston - 16 June Louth - 17 June Magherafelt - 24 June Musselburgh - 30 June Peterhead - 16 June Portadown - 30 June Swadlincote - 30 June The closures comes as Nationwide Building Society claims its branches are thriving. The provider recently said almost 200,000 more customers used its branches in the financial year to the end of March, compared with the prior year, data from the group revealed. The provider has promised to keep all of its nearly 700 branches open until at least the start of 2028. Nationwide said more customers are coming through the doors over the past year as rival banks slash their high street network. Muir Mathieson, Nationwide's chief financial officer, recently said: 'The branches are thriving. 'We're seeing the number of people going into branches going up, and we think part of that increase is that there are fewer branches on the high street now that our competitors have closed theirs.' Customers want face-to-face contact particularly if they have concerns about fraud, or if they want reassurance about a specific process or account, Mr Mathieson added. He also indicated that people feel more comfortable handling bigger sums of money in a branch. About 5.7 million customers visited a branch at least once during the year. Nationwide's branch promise extended to Virgin Money after buying the bank for £2.8 billion last year. Banks closing branches say they are adapting to meet changing behaviours of their customers, who increasingly want to do banking on their phones or online. What to do if your local bank is set to close There are still a number of ways people can access basic banking services without having to venture to another town with a branch. You can use one of the Post Office's 11,684 branches to perform basic banking tasks — but not to open new bank accounts or take personal loans and mortgages. You can find your nearest Post Office branch by visiting Many banks also offer a mobile banking service - where they bring a bus to your area offering services you can usually get at a physical branch. Other banks use buildings such as village halls or libraries to offer mobile banking services. It's worth contacting your bank to see what mobile services they have available, and when they might next be in your area. New super ATMs are being rolled out across the UK where branch closures have left residents unable to access essential banking services. These ATMs will allow customers to withdraw funds, access their balance, change PIN numbers and deposit cash. What services do banking hubs offer? BANKING hubs offer a range of services to bridge the gap left by the closure of local branches. Operated by the Post Office, these hubs allow customers to perform routine transactions such as deposits, withdrawals, and balance enquiries. Each hub features private booths where customers can discuss more complex banking matters with staff from their respective banks. Staff from different banks are available on a rotational basis, ensuring that customers have access to a wide range of banking services throughout the week. Additionally, customers can receive advice and support on various financial products and services, including loans, mortgages, and savings accounts.
The Sun
18-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
More than 13million Brits still rely on bank branches despite a whopping 6,000 of them closing over last decade
MILLIONS of bank customers face being left stranded after a damning report revealed 6,000 branch closures over the past decade. A whopping 13million customers used bank branches last year, according to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). 1 The data shows that most users remain "reliant on bank branches for essential services," despite the move toward online banking. The FCA report revealed that an eye-watering 9.7million people visited a specific site at least once a month. Experts fear that the trend of branch closures will leave customers stranded with around 3.3million account holders never banked online. Around 63 per cent of those are over the age of 85, which raises further concern, according to the FCA. The report also found that people from low-income households - as well as those with cancer, multiple sclerosis, or HIV — were less likely to engage with digital banking. Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: "The disappearance of face-to-face banking risks cutting a significant minority of the older population out of an essential service, making it difficult if not impossible for them to maintain their independence." The main reasons people avoided online banking were concerns about security and a preference for speaking to someone face-to-face. A staggering 21 per cent of account holders surveyed said their regular bank branch had closed. Consumer group, Which?, showed that more than 6,000 branches have shut in the past decade. Jenny Ross, money editor at Which? said: "As the UK's bank branch network continues to be cut to the bone, more people are finding it difficult to access banking services." Major high street bank axing key service Former pensions minister Ros Altmann added: 'Millions of British citizens cannot and do not use online or mobile banking, and indeed don't even have a smartphone. Despite the rising bank closures, Nationwide has committed to keeping all of its branches open until 2028. The major bank has seen the number of customers rise by 4 per cent, which appears to be partly driven by other bank closures. Which bank branches are closing in June? Halifax: Bitterne: 400/402 Bitterne Road SO18 5RS – June 9 Bournemouth: 335/337 Wimborne Road BH9 2EA – June 4 Felixstowe: 85 Hamilton Road IP11 7BQ – June 2 Fleetwood: 4 Poulton Street FY7 6LR – June 22 Gainsborough: 32 Lord Street DN21 2DQ – June 2 Launceston: 1 Southgate Street PL15 9DP – June 3 Leek: 16 Derby Street ST13 5AB – June 4 Letchworth: 1 Commerce Way SG6 3DN – June 3 Littlehampton: 68 High Street BN17 5EA – June 23 London (North West): 469 Kingsbury Road NW9 9ES – June 2 Bank of Scotland: Bathgate: 50 Hopetoun Street EH48 4EU – June 30 Cowdenbeath: 349/351 High Street KY4 9QJ – June 24 Linlithgow: Regent Centre Blackness Road EH49 7HU – June 23 Lloyds: Alcester: Stratford Road B49 5AX – June 25 Ashbourne: Compton DE6 1DY – June 24 Dorchester: 1-2 High West Street DT1 1UG – June 19 Launceston: 13 Broad Street PL15 8AG – June 3 Liverpool: 188-190 Breck Road L5 6PX – June 4 Over the rest of the year, another 40 branches are closing. These include locations in Bristol, London, Bolton, Edinburgh and Coventry. Here is the full list... Halifax: Barrow-in-Furness: 133-135 Dalton Road LA14 1HZ – September 10 Bexleyheath: 131 Broadway DA6 7HF – October 23 Blackpool: 283/287 Lytham Road FY4 1DP – October 29 Bolton: 23/27 Knowsley Street BL1 2DG – November 20 Brentwood: 12 High Street CM14 4AE – September 10 Bristol: 15 Kings Chase Shopping Centre BS15 8LP – October 8 Carmarthen: 121/122 Lammas Street SA31 3AE – October 6 Castleford: 68 Carlton Street WF10 1DB – September 8 Cirencester: 10/12 Cricklade Street GL7 1JH – September 25 Crewe: The Market Centre CW1 2HU – October 14 Derby: 39 East Street DE1 2BL – October 23 Epsom: 51-52 The Ashley Centre KT18 5DB – September 15 Erdington: 221 High Street B23 6SS – September 24 Folkestone: 70-72 Sandgate Road CT20 2AA – October 9 Hayes: 45/47 Station Road UB3 4HH – October 6 Hexham: 20 Priestpopple NE46 1XH – November 5 Hove: 86/87 George Street BN3 3YE – October 20 London (South East): 165/169 Eltham High Street SE9 1TT – October 29 London (South East): 9-13 Powis Street SE18 6HZ – October 1 London (South West): 6 St Johns Hill SW11 1RU – September 23 Bank of Scotland: Edinburgh: 206 St John's Road EH12 8SH – October 29 Lloyds: Biggleswade: 35 High Street SG18 0JD – November 5 Blandford: 6 Market Place DT11 7EE – November 10 Bristol: 16 Highridge Road BS13 8HA – November 6 Bury: 45 The Rock BL9 0JP – October 21 Chard: 27 Fore Street TA20 1PS – November 11 Coventry: 531 Foleshill Road CV6 5JN – November 4 Dunstable: 12 High Street North LU6 1JY – November 4 East Grinstead: 1/3 London Road RH19 1AH – November 12 Fakenham: 27 Norwich Street NR21 9AH – July 1 Falmouth: 11-12 Killigrew Street TR11 3RA – November 13 Feltham: 40 The Centre TW13 4AX – November 4 Ferndown: 84 Victoria Road BH22 9JB – November 17 Hexham: Priestpopple NE46 1PA – November 5 Kidderminster: 1 Vicar Street DY10 1DE – October 16 Leeds: 1 Cross Gates Centre LS15 8ET – August 20 Leeds: 52 Town Street LS12 3AE – September 8 Leominster: 9 Corn Square HR6 8LT – November 18 London (East): 180 - 182 High Street E17 7JH – October 22 London (South West): 12 Mitcham Road SW17 9ND – October 8 Loughton: 11 The Broadway IG10 3SW – November 12 Manchester: 64 Old Church Street M40 2JF – November 5 Since June 2022, Lloyds Banking Group has shut 537 bank branches across its three brands. It has previously said all workers at the affected branches will be offered jobs elsewhere in the company. UK banks and building societies have closed about 6,293 branches since January 2015, according to research by Which?. This works out as almost two branches shutting every day for the past decade. Barclays is the individual bank that has reduced its network the most, with 1,227 branch closures. What to do if your local bank is set to close If your nearest branch is closing, you should still be able to access banking services without going to another town. For example you could check if there is a Post Office near you. Here you'll be able to do basic banking tasks, although you won't be able to open a new bank account or take out personal loans or mortgages. You can find your nearest Post Office branch by visiting Many banks also offer a mobile banking service where they bring a bus to your area that offers services you can usually get at a physical branch. Other banks use buildings such as village halls or libraries to offer mobile banking services. You may want to contact your bank to see what mobile services they have available. Another option is to check if there's a super ATM near you. These have been rolled out across the UK where branch closures have left residents unable to access essential banking services. These ATMs will allow customers to withdraw funds, access their balance, change PIN numbers and deposit cash. Banking hubs are also being opened across the country with 250 set to be available by the end of 2025. What services do banking hubs offer? BANKING hubs offer a range of services to bridge the gap left by the closure of local branches. Operated by the Post Office, these hubs allow customers to perform routine transactions such as deposits, withdrawals, and balance enquiries. Each hub features private booths where customers can discuss more complex banking matters with staff from their respective banks. Staff from different banks are available on a rotational basis, ensuring that customers have access to a wide range of banking services throughout the week. Additionally, customers can receive advice and support on various financial products and services, including loans, mortgages, and savings accounts.
Daily Mail
18-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
More than 13m customers still rely on bank branches
More than 13m customers used bank branches last year, according to figures that add to fears about the impact of swathes of branch closures. It showed that despite a shift to digital banking, many 'remain reliant on bank branches for essential services', according to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which revealed the number in its latest Financial Lives report. The figure, covering the year to May 2024, represented 26 per cent of all account holders. That was down sharply from 63 per cent since 2017 'but also highlights the continued importance of in-branch banking for many adults'. Regular use of branches has halved since 2017 but a substantial 9.7m still visited a specific site at least once a month, the report found. And there were 3.3m, or 7 per cent of account holders, who neither banked online nor used an app – customers who would effectively be left stranded by branch closures. That proportion rose among older customer, to 17 per cent among those 65 and over and 46 per cent for those aged 85 and over. Those in low-income households, or suffering from cancer, multiple sclerosis or HIV infection also showed lower rates of adoption of digital banking. Among reasons given was that people preferred to speak with someone in person or feared digital banking was not secure. The survey also found 21 per cent of account holders had experienced the closure of a branch they had been using regularly. Separate figures by consumer group Which? showed that more than 6,000 branches have shut in the past decade as customers shift towards digital banking. But campaigners and MPs fear the elderly and the vulnerable are being left behind. Jenny Ross, money editor at Which? said: 'As the UK's bank branch network continues to be cut to the bone, more people are finding it difficult to access banking services. The needs of these people must not be ignored.' Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: 'The disappearance of face-to-face banking risks cutting a significant minority of the older population out of an essential service, making it difficult if not impossible for them to maintain their independence.' Former pensions minister Ros Altmann said: 'Millions of British citizens cannot and do not use online or mobile banking and indeed don't even have a smartphone. These digitally excluded people are often disabled or elderly and are being increasingly locked out of British life. We must not let this happen.' Nationwide, which has committed to keeping all of its branches open until 2028, said it had seen a 4 per cent rise in the numbers visiting at least once over the past year. That appeared to be partly driven by customers whose branches had been shut by other lenders switching to the building society.
Daily Mail
07-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Barclays boss promises not to shut any more branches 'this year or next'
The boss of Barclays has promised not to announce any more branch closures this year or next in a boost for the High Street. Chief executive CS Venkatakrishnan, known as Venkat, made the pledge as he faced questions at the lender's annual general meeting from shareholders over its shrinking presence in towns and cities. But the bank refused to rule out shutting more sites in the coming years. Major UK lenders have been axing their branch networks as customers switch to digital banking. But critics have said the move risks cutting older people and vulnerable customers off from their finances. Responding to a question on further closures, Venkat said: 'We don't have any plans to announce further bank branch closures in 2025 or 2026'. Following further probing on plans for the next three to five years, chairman Nigel Higgins told shareholders: 'We have not made plans that far out. HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP 'It isn't part of our thinking. We want to see how the current branch strategy plays out.' He added: 'We have to face the reality that there is a massive shift away from branches to digital banking and we are trying to get the balance right.' According to the latest figures from consumer group Which?, more than 6,300 branches have shut in the last decade. Barclays has closed 1,236 – more than any other lender. The pledge not to close more branches for now comes after HSBC said last year that it would not shut more until at least 2026. Nationwide, Britain's biggest building society, has promised to keep its sites open until the start of 2028. There was heightened security at the QEII Centre in central London where the Barclays AGM was held yesterday. A mob of protesters gathered outside, waving Palestine flags and holding banners that accused it of 'banking on genocide'. Barclays has faced a backlash, including vandalism of branches, for lending to defence firms that supply Israel. Pro-Palestine protesters disrupted the meeting several times in the first ten minutes before being removed. But one shareholder told Higgins that the views expressed by the demonstrators were 'not necessarily shared by all of us'. In response to a question later in the meeting, the bank chairman said: 'We abhor the human suffering on all sides in the conflict in the Middle East. 'We are not arbiters of foreign policy... we take the lead set by our government.' Barclays has said its role as a lender involves providing financial services to defence companies, including US, UK and European firms supplying products to Nato and other allies. Last week, the bank reported a better-than-expected 19 per cent rise in first-quarter profits to £2.7billion. But it warned of a slowdown in dealmaking and lending amid tariff uncertainty. Barclays shares fell 0.7 per cent, or 1.95p, to 296.15p yesterday.
