Overview
- Lloyds Banking Group confirmed on Monday that it will close 79 more Lloyds and Halifax branches over the coming year, adding to an earlier package of 95 closures.
- NatWest Group has closed several branches this week as part of its 2026 programme, which the bank says forms part of a shift to digital banking and will be followed by no further closure announcements until at least 2029.
- Industry estimates and local reports put the total number of UK closures in 2026 at roughly 245 by year end, with 138 already shut by early June, reflecting a decade‑long trend of thousands of branch losses since 2015.
- Banks cite that about 95% of customers now use digital channels and say customers can use nearby branches, Post Office services, PayPoint and LINK banking hubs as alternatives.
- Campaigners and residents warn the cuts will hurt older, rural and digitally excluded people who rely on face‑to‑face help, and the government has launched an independent review led by Richard Lloyd while LINK expands shared banking hubs to plug gaps.