Halifax is closing its mobile banking app for good, and the app will not be the only thing to disappear. Lloyds Banking Group, which owns the more than 170-year-old bank along with Bank of Scotland, announced in July it is scrapping the Halifax brand.
The closure will be phased over the coming months, with the Halifax app being removed from app stores on October 31. From November 1, Halifax customers will have no way to access their accounts digitally through the Halifax app.
What Halifax customers need to do
Lloyds is keen to stress that Halifax customers' money will not suddenly vanish. Instead, all existing Halifax customers will bank with Lloyds and will need to use the Lloyds online banking app to access their accounts.
Halifax warned its millions of customers about the app swap on Monday, inviting them to download the Lloyds app. The bank said: 'In just a few easy steps, you'll be up and running, with everything you need ready for you – your accounts, payments you've set up and any letters and statements we've sent to your digital inbox.'
New customers will no longer be able to open accounts with Halifax. Halifax says customers do not have much to worry about as their bank details, such as sort codes, PINs and direct debits, will stay the same. They will be posted a Lloyds-branded debit and credit card.
Branch closures and rebranding
Lloyds says: 'There's no change to your account or policy features and benefits today. Over time, the brand of your Halifax accounts and policies will change to Lloyds. Updates may happen at different times, and we'll always let you know before anything changes.'
The rebrand comes as the banking giant is closing nearly 250 branches this year and in 2027. Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland customers can use one another's branches for banking, such as withdrawing money or depositing cheques.
Although the Halifax brand is disappearing, its brick-and-mortar branches will not close. Instead, Halifax signs will be replaced with Lloyds branding. The closures will leave the group with 531 branches; about 190 will be Halifax outlets.
