Lloyds, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland will shut branches across the UK as digital banking takes over

Lloyds Banking Group has confirmed the closure of 136 high street branches across the UK, citing cost-cutting measures and a growing shift towards digital banking. The move, affecting 61 Halifax, 61 Lloyds, and 14 Bank of Scotland branches, will take place between May 2025 and March 2026.

The closures will significantly reduce the banking group’s physical presence, leaving just 386 Lloyds, 281 Halifax, and 90 Bank of Scotland branches nationwide. The company insists that all affected employees will be offered alternative positions within the group.

In Kent, branches in Herne Bay, Margate, Folkestone, Sittingbourne, and Bexleyheath are among those set to close, with shutdown dates staggered throughout the year. The Folkestone branch will shut its doors on October 9, while Sittingbourne and Bexleyheath will follow on October 15 and October 23, respectively.

The banking giant attributes the decision to declining in-person transactions, which have reportedly dropped by 48% in the past five years. A Lloyds spokesperson stated, “Over 20 million customers now use our apps, telephone banking, and Post Office services for their daily banking needs.”

Despite reassurances that customers can still access services through Post Office branches and newly proposed banking hubs, concerns remain over the impact on elderly and vulnerable customers who rely on face-to-face banking.

Lloyds’ latest cuts come just weeks after announcing the closure of offices in Dunfermline and Liverpool, affecting over 1,000 employees. As the push towards a digital-first banking model accelerates, the future of in-person banking in the UK hangs in the balance.