Halifax customers have been warned that several branches are set to close over the next few weeks, with 26 locations shutting in October alone. The closures are part of a wider phased shutdown that will continue into November, December and even 2027, following the announcement that the Halifax name will be rebranded under Lloyds Banking Group.
The banking giant has already closed a few outlets this month, with Basingstoke and Bury St Edmunds set to shutter on September 30. Areas affected in October include Ashford, Gateshead, Leamington Spa and Hereford.
Rebrand and digital shift
The Daily Record reported in July that the Halifax name would be phased out and replaced with Lloyds Banking Group, with existing customers told to switch to Lloyds' app for online banking concerns. Existing sort codes and account numbers remain unchanged following the rebrand, and both banking groups confirmed no alterations to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme protection.
Halifax has said most of its transactions are now being completed digitally. In its closure document for the Salisbury branch, the bank wrote: "We regularly review how our customers choose to bank with us. And, with most now using our app, online services or phone banking, we're closing our Salisbury branch. We understand this may affect you. So, we've included other ways you can bank with us on the following pages - and the support available to you."
Alternatives and wider industry trend
In follow-up 'branch review' documents, several affected areas could receive a 'banking hub' as an alternative. These are shared banking spaces owned by Cash Access UK and run by the Post Office. To ensure access to cash, LINK will conduct a review of the areas where banks are closing, with outcomes published on the LINK website.
The news follows the Daily Record's report that Bank of Scotland would close 12 branches this year, with 10 already shuttered. As of next month, Hawick and Grangemouth will join the list. Santander also closed 40 UK branches in April and May, part of a move to shutter 44 locations nationwide "in response to changing consumer behaviour." The firm confirmed in January that 96 percent of its transactions were not completed through digital channels, and mobile bank users increased by 67 percent since 2019.
Full list of Halifax closures in October
Cleveleys (October 1), Weston-Super-Mare (October 6), Truro (October 6), Camborne (October 7), Southend-on-Sea (October 12), Ashford (October 13), Buxton (October 13), Corby (October 14), Newcastle-under-Lyme (October 19), Gateshead (October 19), Taunton (October 19), Leamington Spa (October 20), Salisbury (October 20), Lichfield (October 20), Hereford (October 21), King's Lynn (October 22), Bethnal Green (October 22), Kings Heath (October 26), Weymouth (October 26), Ramsgate (October 26), Waterlooville (October 27), Newark (October 27), Gravesend (October 28), Wellingborough (October 28), Boston (October 29), Lowestoft (October 29).
More information on the rebrand to Lloyds Banking Group can be found on the Halifax website.
