Lloyds Bank announces closure of nearly 50 more branches by year end

A UK banking group has announced that an additional 44 of its branches will be closing before the end of the year.

Lloyd Banking Group, has revealed that 44 more branches - on top of 56 previously announced - will be closed between September and November this year, bringing the total closed this year to 100.

The bank, which also owns the Halifax brand, said that the closures are the result of a lack of footfall, as more people opt for digital banking.

The branches closing will include 29 Lloyds Bank locations and 15 Halifax branches.

Vim Maru, Lloyd’s Banking Group’s retail director, said that there had been “significantly fewer transactions at these locations” over the past five years.

“Like many businesses on the high street, we must change for a future where branches will be used in a different way, and visited less often.”

Caren Evan, national officer for the Unite union, commented: “The decision to further erode its presence within our communities is baffling.

“The closure of 44 more bank branches will deny our communities of essential services such as access to cash and experienced highly trained staff.

“A local ATM is not a suitable alternative to a staffed bank branch.”