Overview

• Santander will discontinue five non-regulatory text alerts, including notifications for deposits, withdrawals, and balance updates, starting May 12, 2025.
• The bank cites the rise of mobile and online banking as a reason for the change, encouraging customers to use its app, online banking, or push notifications for account updates.
• Regulatory alerts, such as overdraft warnings or notifications about potential charges, will continue to be sent via SMS.
• Consumer rights experts warn that the move could disadvantage the 10% of customers who rely solely on text messages and do not use digital banking platforms.
• Most major UK banks, including Barclays, Lloyds, and NatWest, still offer similar SMS alert services, making Santander's decision a notable departure from industry norms.