Customers of some of Britain's largest banks will lose their local branches in the coming weeks as major lenders continue to restructure their services. Santander, NatWest and Lloyds Banking Group have confirmed a combined 159 branch closures, with the next wave beginning on Tuesday, May 5.
Santander is set to close 27 more branches, with the first of those shutting on May 5. The bank originally announced in January that it would close 44 branches, four of which closed that month, with the remainder scheduled to shut by the end of May. Santander attributed the decision to the growing use of online banking, noting that 96% of customer transactions are now carried out digitally.
NatWest is closing 15 branches nationwide by the end of May, followed by a further 14 in June and five more by the end of September. Three additional closures are scheduled for next year. The bank said most of its closed branches would be replaced by banking hubs offering face-to-face services, adding that banking had changed dramatically in recent years with increased demand for mobile and online services.
Lloyds Banking Group also announced earlier this year that 168 Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland branches would close over two years, with the first already shut in early 2026. The group linked the closures to a decline in branch visits as more customers use digital banking. It has opened its remaining branches to all Lloyds Banking Group customers, allowing clients from any of its three brands to use any of the branches.
The closures are part of a wider trend across the sector. Some closure dates may be subject to change in areas where banking hubs have been recommended. The full list of affected branches has been published by the banks, with most of the remaining shutdowns expected to be completed by the end of June.
