Customers of Barclays, NatWest, Santander, and Lloyds Banking Group have been issued a stark warning as a fresh wave of bank branch closures sweeps across the UK this November.
The Scale of the Closures
Major banks are set to shut 24 branches throughout November, continuing a long-term trend that has seen the UK's banking landscape transform dramatically. According to the consumer champion Which?, a staggering 6,443 bank and building society branches have closed since January 2015. This equates to an average of approximately 53 branches closing every single month for nearly a decade.
The Lloyds Banking Group is leading this month's closures, accounting for the majority of the scheduled shutdowns. The group, which includes Lloyds Bank, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland, will see a total of 22 branches close their doors for good.
Full List of November Bank Closures
Here is the complete schedule of bank branch closures confirmed for November:
Lloyds Bank
Biggleswade (November 5), Blandford (November 10), Bristol Bishopsworth (November 6), Chard (November 11), Coventry Foleshill (November 4), Dunstable (November 4), East Grinstead (November 12), Feltham (November 4), Ferndown (November 17), Hexham (November 5), Loughton (November 12), Manchester Newton Heath (November 5), Plymstock (November 4), Pontardawe (November 20), Sheffield Woodhouse (November 11), Shipston-on-Stour (November 11).
Bank of Scotland
Moffat (November 19), Thornhill (November 3).
Halifax
Bolton (November 20), Hexham (November 10), Wickford (November 10).
Other major banks are also reducing their physical presence. Barclays will close its Northampton Wellingborough Road branch on November 28, while NatWest shuts its Garstang location on November 10. Santander's Surrey Quays branch will also close on November 10.
Banking's Digital Future and Customer Alternatives
A spokesperson for Lloyds Banking Group explained the reasoning behind the closures, stating: "The way people are banking has changed, with over 21 million customers choosing our apps to manage their money. We're providing more choice than ever before, bringing together the best in digital convenience with our people."
The spokesperson highlighted alternative banking methods available to customers, including using any remaining Lloyds, Halifax, or Bank of Scotland branch, the Post Office, or the growing network of Banking Hubs for everyday transactions. Customers can also deposit cash at over 30,000 PayPoint locations across the country.
This shift towards digital banking and away from physical branches shows no sign of slowing. According to MoneyWeek, Lloyds Banking Group alone plans to close 186 branches by October next year, indicating that the November closures are part of a much larger strategic withdrawal from the high street.
