Three leading banks are planning to shut down an additional ten bank branches this week, dealing a significant blow to their customers. Halifax is set to close five branches, NatWest will shut down four, and Lloyds will close one location. The decline in branch usage is attributed to the increasing preference for online banking among most individuals, as reported by high street banks.

Despite the trend, concerns have been raised by charities regarding the potential exclusion of vulnerable individuals from essential banking services. Data from Which? reveals that 6,561 branches have been closed by banks and building societies since January 2015, averaging 53 closures per month.

According to Which?, there are 432 scheduled closures for 2025, with NatWest planning 105 closures, Halifax 101, Santander 95, Lloyds 93, Bank of Scotland 24, TSB 8, and Barclays 6.

In 2026, 71 bank branches are set for closure, including 40 from Lloyds, 17 from Bank of Scotland, and 14 from Halifax. For customers affected by branch closures, basic cash and counter services can be accessed at nearby Post Offices. Some banks are also introducing pop-up branches or vans, with details available online for upcoming visits to various towns.

NatWest emphasized that a significant majority of their current account holders utilize digital services, while Lloyds Banking Group, which includes Halifax, highlighted the extensive use of mobile apps for convenient and flexible banking options. Customers are encouraged to leverage various channels such as telephone banking, community bankers, branches of Halifax, Lloyds, and Bank of Scotland, as well as over 11,000 Post Office branches and Banking Hubs for their everyday banking needs.