Overview

• Santander confirmed it will close 14 more UK branches this month as part of its plan to exit 95 locations over 2025.
• Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group and Bank of Scotland have also announced additional branch closures in August as in-person visits continue to decline.
• Santander’s network reduction has been accompanied by cuts of over 2,000 jobs this year and is supported by the rollout of community bankers, Work Cafés and mobile app enhancements.
• Under the FCA’s LINK agreement and a government pledge to grow community banking hubs to 350 by 2030, lenders are required to maintain cash access via Post Office partnerships and shared branches.
• Age UK and Which? Money warn that the accelerated withdrawal of high-street branches risks excluding older and digitally disenfranchised customers from essential face-to-face services.