Lloyds and Santander have closed branches in two more places in another blow to high streets. Lloyds shut its branch in Woodbridge, Suffolk, on Wednesday (July 16) while Santander closed the doors for good on its premises in Felixstowe.
The latest closures came after both banks previously warned the rise of internet banking had in part led to their shutting up shop. A spokeperson for Lloyds said most customers were using its mobile app, online or telephone banking instead.
They said this meant the Woodbridge branch was being used “much less” so it would close. Santander pointed to a majority of the Felixstowe branch users already banking in other ways.
Nationally, at least 254 branches of Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland will close in 2025 and 2026.
All three are part of Lloyds Banking Group, which means customers are able to use any of those banks for their everyday banking.
Santander is shutting at least 95 branches this year. You can still withdraw cash and make deposits with the bank at the Post Office.
If your bank branch closes, there are a range of things you can do, including switching to a new bank or building society.
You can also pay in, withdraw cash and check your balance at the Post Office, with Santander, Nationwide, Lloyds and HSBC among the providers whose accounts can be accessed in that way.
There are also banking hubs in some areas where staff from differet banks on a rotation can be available to help with more complex banking matters.
According to Moneyweek, there are 150 banking hubs in the UK. The Government has pledged 350 banking hubs will be opened by 2029.
For anyone who wants to learn how to bank online, some banks and building societies offer lessons.
Lloyds, NatWest and Barclays are among the providers which offer tuition.