More than 100 bank branches are scheduled to shut down in 2026, marking a significant trend of high street retreat. This year alone, closure dates have been confirmed for 73 branches of major banks such as Lloyds, NatWest, Santander, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland.

Additionally, 29 branches have announced closure plans without finalizing the dates, bringing the total closures to 102. Lloyds is at the forefront with 40 branches nearing closure or awaiting finalization. The upcoming closures include 18 Santander branches, 17 Bank of Scotland branches, 15 Halifax branches, and seven NatWest branches.

The decision to close branches was primarily attributed to customers shifting towards mobile banking rather than in-person services. By the end of this month, 35 branches will have disappeared from high streets, with more scheduled for closure in February and March.

Remaining closures are expected in July and October or are yet to be determined. Cornwall has been significantly impacted by the retreat, with four banks set to close this year and two without a fixed closure date. Last year witnessed 13 closures, with six in 2024, 14 in 2023, and six in 2022, totaling 45 banks lost.

Scotland’s Highland council area is also facing closures, with six banks set to shut down this year. Scotland is projected to lose 20 banks, while Wales and Northern Ireland will lose six and one bank, respectively. In England, the South East and South West regions are the most affected, with 17 bank closures in each region.

Since February 2022, major banking groups have been evaluating the impact of each closure, resulting in a total of 2,065 branches closing or announcing closure plans. The LINK initiative ensures that vulnerable customers and small businesses are not left behind in the transition to digital banking.

When communities are left without a local bank, banking hubs or free ATMs are established to bridge the gap. The shift towards digital banking is evident, yet the importance of cash remains, with over £76 billion withdrawn from LINK cash machines last year.

Both LINK and Cash Access UK are dedicated to protecting the cash infrastructure and ensuring that individuals who rely on cash have access to essential services. With an increasing number of banking hubs opening each week, customers can conveniently access various banking services in one location, supporting businesses and consumers in their cash transactions.