Banks Lloyds, Halifax, NatWest, and Bank of Scotland are to close 113 branches imminently - check if your bank is included in our comprehensive list of those to be closed.
In a significant shift towards digital banking, major UK banks are closing a substantial number of physical branches across the country. Between August and November 2025, Lloyds Bank Group, Halifax, NatWest, and Bank of Scotland plan to shut 113 branches collectively, reflecting a broader trend driven by increased digital banking usage.
The wave of closures is part of a longer-term decline, with the total number of UK bank branches falling by 34% from 2019 to 2024. This decline is due to customers increasingly preferring digital channels, with the proportion of customers using digital banking rising from 33% in 2020 to 59% in 2024 [2][3].
Banks have cited sustained falls in branch visits, accelerated by the pandemic and changing customer habits, as primary reasons for branch closures. For instance, NatWest has closed many Royal Bank of Scotland branches owing to brand consolidation and overlapping coverage, while Lloyds Bank Group is consolidating its footprint across Lloyds, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland branches [3][5].
Despite these closures, banks recognize the need to cater to customers and communities, especially those in rural areas or with limited internet access. To help, NatWest has introduced Community Pop-up sites offering temporary local support after branch closures and provides guidance on alternative local and digital banking options [5].
Looking ahead, future plans appear to focus on continuing to reshape operating models to emphasize digital banking and reduce the physical branch footprint. This aligns with industry trends across Europe, where the UK ranks among countries with the highest percentage of branch closures in the last five years [2].
Table: Bank Branch Closures and Reasons
| Bank | Branch Closures in 2025 | Reason for Closures | Mitigation/Alternatives | |----------------------|-------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | Lloyds Bank Group* | 217 (including Halifax, Bank of Scotland) | Declining branch visits, digital adoption | Guidance on alternatives, digital services | | Halifax | 31 (Aug-Nov 2025) | Digital banking preference, cost-efficiency | Community support and digital transition | | NatWest | 46 (Aug-Nov 2025) + ~100 overall | Brand consolidation, digital adoption | Closure guides, Community Pop-ups | | Bank of Scotland | 4 (Aug-Nov 2025) | Same as Lloyds/Halifax group | Linked to Lloyds group support |
*Lloyds Bank group includes Lloyds, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland.
The ongoing wave of branch closures has triggered fears that elderly, isolated people may be disproportionately affected. According to charity Age UK, only 14% of people aged 85 and above bank online, with 58% relying on face-to-face banking [4]. The specific dates for the closures of 8 Halifax branches and 8 NatWest branches have not been confirmed yet.
This rapid rise of digital banking has profoundly impacted the physical branch strategies of these banks, driving accelerated closures in favor of online and mobile services while trying to address the needs of less digitally engaged customers through community and hybrid approaches [1][2][3][5].
Additional Information:
- Barclays has closed 1,228 branches over the last nine years, the most among individual banks.
- NatWest Group (which includes NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Ulster Bank) has closed the most branches since January 2015, with a total of 1,428 closures.
- Lloyds Banking Group has closed 1,243 locations over the same period, second only to NatWest Group.
- The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) introduced measures last year to ensure a 'reasonable provision of cash deposit and withdrawal services' due to the rapid closure of branches.
