Over 100 bank branches are expected to close in 2026 as the trend of moving away from traditional high street locations accelerates. Major banks like Lloyds, NatWest, Santander, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland have already set closure dates for 73 branches this year.
An additional 29 branches have plans to close, bringing the total number of expected closures to 102. Lloyds leads with 40 branches nearing closure or awaiting final dates, followed by Santander with 18 branches, Bank of Scotland with 17, Halifax with 15, and NatWest with seven branches scheduled for closure.
Last year, both Lloyds and Santander announced closures attributing the decision to the shift of customer preferences towards digital banking services over traditional in-person visits. By the end of this month, 35 branches will have closed, with more scheduled for February and March.
The remaining closures are planned for July and October or are pending finalization. Cornwall has been significantly impacted by closures, with four banks closing this year and two more yet to confirm closure dates. In total, Scotland will lose 20 banks, while Wales will see five closures and Northern Ireland one. The South East and South West regions of England are the most affected, with 17 branches closing in each area.
Since February 2022, a total of 2,065 branches have either closed or announced closure plans as part of a voluntary agreement by major banking groups to evaluate the impact of each closure. The LINK initiative ensures that vulnerable customers and small businesses are not left behind in the transition to digital and virtual banking platforms.
When communities are left without a local bank, banking hubs or free ATMs are established to bridge the gap. Nick Quin, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at LINK, emphasized the importance of cash services despite the digital shift, stating that the organization remains committed to safeguarding cash infrastructure for those who still rely on it.
Gareth Oakley, CEO of Cash Access UK, noted the rise of digital banking but highlighted the opening of more banking hubs to cater to customers who prefer cash transactions. With over 200 hubs opened, including 100 in 2025, these hubs serve customers of major banks in one location, offering deposit services and other cash solutions to ensure access to cash remains convenient for businesses and consumers.