High street banking continues to shrink, with Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland confirming the closure of a combined 26 branches in October.
The move is part of a wider plan by Lloyds Banking Group, which owns the three banks, to shut more than 130 branches between May 2025 and March 2026. It marks the latest phase of a long-running trend that has seen thousands of local branches disappear across the UK. According to figures from Which?, banks and building societies have closed 6,522 branches since January 2015 – an average of 53 every month. Lenders say the decline in footfall, alongside the rapid growth of online and mobile banking, has made many physical branches unsustainable.
The closures will leave some towns without a single branch, sparking concerns for older and vulnerable customers who rely on face-to-face banking.
Campaigners argue that while digital banking offers convenience for many, in-person services remain a lifeline for people with limited internet access or digital skills.
Lloyds Banking Group has said it will provide support to affected customers, including help to transition to online services, while pointing to alternative ways of accessing cash through Post Office branches and cash machines.
