Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland set to shut another 53 branches this year - is YOUR nearest on the list?

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A number of major banking groups have announced they will close another 53 high street bank branches this year, marking yet another blow to customers who rely on face-to-faces services. 

Lloyds have confirmed that they will close 21 branches, Halifax will be shuttering 22 sites and 10 Bank of Scotland (BoS0) outlets are due to close this year. 

The areas to be most affected by the closures include high streets in the south of England and Wales as well as parts of Scotland.

In January, it was revealed that nearly 200 bank branches are set to close this year as lenders continue withdrawing from the High Street, but these are in addition to the 53 branches announced today. 

Nearly 6,000 outlets have already disappeared from high streets in the UK since the start of 2015 as banks continue to cut costs and point to the growing shift by customers towards using online services.

A number of major banking groups have announced they will close another 53 high street bank branches this year, marking yet another blow to customers who rely on face-to-faces services

Banks have reduced branch networks for years in an attempt to drive down costs, but the rate has grown with the increased uptake of digital alternatives. 

This was accelerated by the pandemic - although campaigners have warned that elderly and vulnerable users are being left behind.

Jenny Ross, Which?'s money editor, said: 'Sadly we've witnessed hundreds of bank branches closing their doors.

'And with more than 180 branches due to close in 2024, on top of the 5,783 branches that have closed since January 2015, the future of the UK's high street banking infrastructure is bleak.

'Consumers are at risk of being left isolated as in-person banking services are axed from their communities – the Government must do more to protect their needs.'

Separate research from analytics platform SAS found that almost one million customers could be left 'bankless' within months.

One idea to try to alleviate the pain for those communities affected is the setting up of banking hubs. These allow different lenders to share branch facilities, each taking it in turn to use them to serve customers on different days of the week.

However, critics claim that these are not keeping pace with the scale of closures.

Only 31 have been opened in towns previously left bankless by the withdrawal of all the big banks and building societies. A further 70 are already scheduled to open next year. 

Ms Ross said: 'Banking hubs could play an important role in this, but the roll-out is taking far too long. More hubs must open as soon as possible to stop millions of consumers being left behind.'

Pictured above is a closed Halifax branch in Maidenhead, Berkshire, in December last year

A closure notice hangs in the window for a Santander branch in Harwich, Essex

A closed Lloyds bank branch in Plymouth, Devon, had its cash dispensing machines boarded up

A closure notice on a former HSBC bank branch in Windsor, Berkshire

 The building of a former HSBC bank up for let in Belper, Derbyshire

Barclays closed the largest number of branches in 2023 at 180, and already has 34 planned for this year.

It was followed by NatWest on 138, with 21 pencilled in for 2024.

Royal Bank of Scotland, also part of the NatWest Group, shut four branches last year and has one closure earmarked for this year.

Ulster Bank, another NatWest-owned company, closed zero branches last year but plans ten in 2024.

NatWest, which remains 38 per cent owned by the taxpayer, has indicated that more closures are likely.

If your local branch is set to close, or has recently, there are alternative options offered to those who still require face-to-face services. 

As a Lloyds or Bank of Scotland customer, you can check if a 'mobile branch' service is available near you.

These are normally set up on specific dates and times each month, however, this service is only available until May 2024 and does not offer cash or counter services.

Many banks already offer a mobile banking service - where they bring a bus to your area offering services you can usually get at a physical branch. 

Customers will also be advised to check if a 'banking hub' is open in their area where a 'community banker' can help with particular services. 

Banking hubs are located in shared public buildings on the high street, such as libraries or village halls, for customers who need face-to-face support. 

Each bank will take it in turns on a different day to occupy the 'banking hub' space, but you don't necessarily need to be a customer of that particular bank to use some of the services. 

Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland customers are also able to carry out most basic banking tasks at your nearest Post Office.

Lloyds have now confirmed that they are to close a further 21 branches, Halifax will be closing 22 sites and Bank of Scotland (BoS0) will be shuttering 10

In January, it was revealed that nearly 200 bank branches are already set to close this year as lenders continue withdrawing from the High Street

The news comes after the retreat of banks from the high street has been laid bare by plans for a town to be left without a single branch.

Barclays is currently the only bank in Leiston, Suffolk, but its customers will soon have a near 50-mile round trip to their nearest branch after it revealed the outlet will close in May.

The return journey to Lowestoft, 24 miles away – will take at least 90 minutes by car, while accessing services in Ipswich, 26 miles away, will swallow up nearly two hours.

The Mail has repeatedly highlighted bank closures, while sister paper The Mail on Sunday has campaigned for communities to keep at least one bank in its Keep our Cash Manifesto.

Critics say businesses and charities that rely on cash then suffer, while people unable to go online are penalised.