More than 100 bank branches are scheduled to close in 2026, marking a continued trend of high street retreats. Among the major banks, including Lloyds, NatWest, Santander, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland, 73 branches have already set closure dates this year.
An additional 29 branches have announced closure plans without finalizing dates, bringing the total impending closures to 102. Lloyds is at the forefront with 40 branches nearing closure or awaiting an official end date. Santander, Bank of Scotland, Halifax, and NatWest follow with 18, 17, 15, and 7 branches set to shutter, respectively.
Last year, Lloyds and Santander disclosed numerous closures, attributing the decision to a shift in customer behavior towards digital banking services. By the end of this month, 35 branches will have disappeared from high streets, with two more closures in February and an additional 23 in March.
The remaining closures are slated for July and October or are pending confirmation. Cornwall has been heavily impacted by bank closures this year, with four branches scheduled for closure and two awaiting final closure dates. In the past few years, numerous branches have shut down, resulting in a cumulative loss of 45 banks.
Scotland is anticipated to lose 20 banks, Wales five, and Northern Ireland one. Among the 76 closures in England, the South East and South West regions are the most affected, with 17 closures each. Since February 2022, major banking groups have committed to assessing the impact of closures, resulting in the closure or announcement of plans for 2,065 branches.
The LINK initiative has been overseeing each closure to ensure that vulnerable customers and small businesses are not disadvantaged during the transition to digital payments. When communities are left without local banks, banking hubs or free ATMs are established to bridge the gap.
Nick Quin, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at LINK, highlighted the increasing preference for digital banking and payment methods. Despite the shift, cash remains essential, with over £76 billion withdrawn from LINK cash machines last year. LINK evaluates the impact of branch closures to determine if additional cash services are necessary, emphasizing the commitment to safeguarding cash infrastructure.
Gareth Oakley, CEO of Cash Access UK, noted the evolving banking landscape towards digital services. However, for individuals reliant on cash and face-to-face banking, the introduction of more banking hubs offers convenience. With over 200 hubs opened, including 100 in 2025, these hubs cater to customers of major banks in one location, enhancing accessibility and deposit services.
The proliferation of hubs, deposit services, and innovative cash solutions aims to facilitate businesses and consumers in accessing and depositing cash efficiently.