As many as 67 high street bank branches across the UK are set to close in the remainder of this tax year, removing local banking services from dozens of communities.
The latest round of closures will see branches shut across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland as major lenders continue to scale back their physical presence.
The current tax year is 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026.
NatWest is due to close six branches before the end of the year.
Santander has also confirmed four closures before Christmas ends.
Its branches in Ilkley, Billericay, Larne and Droitwich are all scheduled to close during the same period.
The closures have prompted concerns about how customers will access face-to-face banking services once branches disappear from local high streets.
Campaigners have raised particular concerns about elderly and vulnerable people who rely on in-person support for day-to-day banking and financial advice.
Lloyds Banking Group is facing the largest number of planned closures.
Natwest, Lloyds and Santander bank branches are set to close
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The closures will affect all three of the group’s brands: Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland.
In Scotland, Bank of Scotland customers will see several branches shut.
Sites in Glasgow’s Anniesland, Larkhall, Bellshill and St Andrews are among those due to close.
The Bank of Scotland closures are expected to continue through to late March.
Here’s the list of branches closing in the remainder of the 2025/26 tax year in full:
Natwest
- Ashby-de-la-Zouch – December 31
- Cromer – December 31
- Evesham, December 31
- Launceston – December 31
- Portishead – December 31
- Torquay – December 31
Santander
- Ilkley – December 18
- Billericay – December 20
- Larne – December 22
- Droitwich – December 29
Lloyds
- Hedon – January 1
- Ivybridge – January 1
- Totnes – January 1
- Lewes – January 1
- Petersfield – January 1
- Birmingham – Harborne – January 8
- Gillingham (Dorset) – January 8
- Ammanford, January 12
- Bideford – January 13
- Fleet – January 13
- New Addington – January 14
- Chester-le-Street – January 14
- Alfreton – January 19
- Havant – January 19
- Swadlincote – January 20
- Penzance – January 21
- Hedge End – January 28
- Thornbury Avon – February 26
- Brigg – March 5
- Caterham – March 5
- Glossop – March 9
- Hucknall – March 4
- Houghton le Spring – March 10
- Liverpool Breck Road – March 4
- Manchester Moston – March 11
- Okehampton – March 25
- Peterlee Yoden Way – March 3
- Seaton – March 11
- Sleaford – March 12
- Tunstall – March 9
- Wymondham – March 12
Halifax
- Yeovil – January 12
- London, Wandsworth – January 15
- Seaford – January 19
- Deal – January 22
- Hastings – January 22
- Skipton – January 26
- Horsforth – February 24
- Middleton – January 8
- Birmingham Bearwood – March 2
- Peterlee – March 3
- Nelson – March 4
Bank of Scotland
- Glasgow, Anniesland – January 1
- Larkhall – January 8
- Bellshill – January 12
- Tain – January 12
- Erskine, Bridgewater – January 13
- Nairn – January 20
- St Andrew – January 20
- Castle Douglas – January 22
- Gairloch – January 29
- Alexandria – March 2
- Annan -March 2
- Bishopbriggs – March 4
- Helensburgh – March 5
- Dingwall – March 25
- Largs – March 25
Bank of Scotland is also closing branches | ALAMY
Banks have said the reduction in physical branches reflects a long-term change in customer behaviour.
Lenders point to increased use of online and app-based banking as a key driver behind the closures.
A Lloyds Banking Group spokesperson said: “The way people are banking has changed, with over 21 million customers choosing apps to manage their money.”
The spokesperson said: “We’re providing more choice than ever before, bringing together the best in digital convenience with our people.”
The group said it is taking steps to support customers who are unable to use online banking services.
One measure includes the rollout of so-called Community Bankers.
These staff are intended to provide in-person support in local areas where branches have closed.
Banking hubs, where multiple banks share a single location, have also been introduced in some areas.
Post Office branches are another alternative highlighted by banks for basic banking services such as cash withdrawals and deposits.
However, critics argue these options do not always provide the same level of service as a dedicated bank branch.
Concerns remain that reduced access to branches could leave some customers struggling to manage their finances.
Older people and those without reliable internet access are often cited as being most affected by closures.
HSBC has taken a different approach to branch closures in recent years.
The bank recently extended its branch promise, committing to keep 327 branches open until at least 2027.
Despite this pledge, HSBC has still closed hundreds of branches over the past decade.
Sam Richardson, deputy editor of Which? Money, said: “While it’s good to see HSBC committing to not shut any more branches until 2027, it has still closed hundreds in the last decade.
“These closures have had real impacts on communities who need to access in-person services or withdraw cash.”
The consumer group has previously called for better protection for communities at risk of losing essential banking services.
Those who struggle with digital services could get left behind
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Banks continue to argue that digital services provide greater flexibility and convenience for most customers.
At the same time, industry data shows that branch closures remain a sensitive issue for towns and cities across the UK.
Further closures are expected to be announced as banks continue to review their property networks.
Customers affected by closures are advised to check with their bank about alternative services available in their area.
