Overview

• In June, Santander shut 23 branches as the first phase of its plan to close at least 95 sites nationwide after a 2021 branch review.
• Lloyds, NatWest and Halifax are among other major lenders shuttering locations this month, bringing total closures to 102 across the sector.
• Since January 2015, over 6,300 bank and building society branches have disappeared from UK high streets, averaging 53 closures per month.
• Caroline Abrahams of Age UK warns that the loss of face-to-face banking risks cutting off older and digitally excluded customers from essential services.
• Banks have launched multi-bank Banking Hubs to maintain access to cash and services, and Nationwide has pledged to keep its nearly 700 branches open through 2028.