Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to close 136 branches – see the full list of locations & if your branch is affected
LLOYDS Banking Group has announced it will be shutting 136 branches across the UK.
It will close 61 Lloyds, 61 Halifax and 14 Bank of Scotland (BoS) branches between May this year and March 2026.
Lloyds blamed the decision to shut the branches on customers shifting away from banking in person to using mobile services.
It said that all workers at the affected branches will be offered jobs elsewhere in the company.
The closure plan comes just weeks after Lloyds announced a major change to its bank branches.
The banking giant revealed plans to let customers access services at any branch regardless of which brand they bank with.
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A spokesperson for the banking giant said about today's closure plans: "Over 20million customers are using our apps for on-demand access to their money and customers have more choice and flexibility than ever for their day-to-day banking.
"Alongside our apps, customers can also use telephone banking, visit a community banker or use any Halifax, Lloyds or Bank of Scotland branch, giving access to many more branches.
"Customers can also do their everyday banking at over 11,000 branches of the Post Office or in a Banking Hub."
Banks and building societies have closed 6,161 branches since January 2015 at a rate of around 53 each month, according to Which?.
Lloyds Banking Group itself has shut down 1,216 sites.
Once all previously announced closures are complete, Lloyds Banking Group will have a total of 757 branches - 386 Lloyds, 281 Halifax, and 90 Bank of Scotland.
The news today comes less than a week after NatWest said it will close 53 bank branches over the next year.
What to do if your local bank branch closes
New rules from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) mean banks and building societies that shut branches have to make sure customers can still get cash.
When they make changes, they need to check whether local communities will be left without important cash services, like branches or ATMs, and fix any significant gaps.
Residents and community groups can also ask for a review of cash-access gaps, and the providers have to respond.
If big gaps are found, banks and building societies need to offer reasonable alternatives, like keeping branches or ATMs open until new ones are set up.
Solutions can include setting up banking hubs, new ATMs, or using Post Office facilities to keep cash services going.
The vast majority of banking customers are moving online and don't need a physical branch as much as before.
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.
But any closures can be an issue for others, particularly elderly people in rural areas who don't have access to the internet.
However, if your local branch is set to close, or has recently, you have some options.
You can carry out most basic banking tasks at your nearest Post Office.
You won't be able to apply for a loan or open a new bank account at one though.
You can find your nearest Post Office branch by using the locator tool on its website.
Plus, hundreds more banking hubs are set to open to replace lost banking services following years of widespread branch closures.
Banking hubs offer a solution by allowing staff from multiple banks to share the same space, filling the gaps that branch closures left.
Banking hubs typically feature a counter service operated by the Post Office as standard, enabling customers to conduct routine banking transactions conveniently.
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Other banks use buildings such as village halls or libraries to offer mobile banking services.
It's worth contacting your bank to see what services they have available, and when they might next be in your area.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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