Lloyds Banking Group is closing hundreds of high street branches, and the programme is far from finished. The Lloyds Banking Group closures plan now covers about 245 sites across Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland in 2026 and 2027. If your local branch is on the list, you have time to prepare. This guide explains what has been announced, why it is happening, and where you can bank instead. It also sets out the practical steps worth taking before your branch shuts for good. Whatever your age or banking habits, the changes may affect how you pay in cash, get help and sort out problems.
What Is the Lloyds Banking Group Closures Plan?
The plan is a rolling programme of branch closures across the group’s three high street brands: Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland. It is not a single announcement. Lloyds has revealed closures in waves, with a date given for each branch.
The most recent wave came in June 2026. Lloyds added 79 closures, made up of 48 Halifax branches and 31 Lloyds Bank sites. It followed a February announcement covering 95 branches. That takes the total to 232 closures in 2026 and 13 in 2027, according to Which?.
Once everything is complete, the group is expected to run 531 branches across Britain. The network was far larger a decade ago. Which? says the group has closed nearly 1,600 branches since 2015, more than any other UK bank network.
How Many Branches Are Closing and When?
Closure dates run into 2027, but most fall in 2026. Each branch has its own date, so a headline figure only tells part of the story. Dates can change, particularly where a banking hub has been recommended for the town.
Here is the broad picture:
- June 2026 announcement: 79 closures, with 74 due in 2026 and five in 2027.
- February 2026 announcement: 95 closures running from May 2026 to March 2027.
- Total across 2026 and 2027: 245 branches (232 plus 13).
- Branches remaining afterwards: about 531.
November is a busy month. Ten Lloyds Bank branches are scheduled to close between 3 and 19 November, spread across Lancashire, Tyne and Wear, Derbyshire, the West Midlands and other areas. Harrogate’s branch on Cambridge Crescent is due to close on 19 November.
Why Is Lloyds Closing So Many Branches?
The group’s explanation is simple. It says fewer people visit branches and more manage money through apps and online banking. It says it still invests in face-to-face banking, and every branch now serves customers from all three brands. Lloyds has previously said that over 20 million customers use its apps.
The group also points to overlap. According to coverage of the announcement, more than three quarters of the branches in the latest wave sit within a mile of another group branch. oth raised concerns about the pace of closures. The Government has also launched a review of banking hub rollout and the wider effect on access to financial services.
What Happens to Your Account When a Branch Closes?
Your account stays open. A branch closure does not close your current account, savings or mortgage. Your card, app and online banking carry on as usual. Your sort code and account number normally stay the same too, though it is worth checking any letter from your bank.
Staff are covered as well. Lloyds has said employees at affected branches will be offered a role at another branch or elsewhere in the business.
Notice matters too. Closure dates are published in advance, so you can collect paperwork and ask staff for help with the app before the last day.
Where Can You Bank Instead of a Closing Branch?
Lloyds points customers towards several options. Which one suits you depends on what you need to do.
- Another group branch: Any Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland customer can use any branch in the group, so a nearby Halifax may serve a Lloyds customer.
- Banking hubs: These are shared spaces where customers of several banks can withdraw and deposit cash, pay bills and get help. Community bankers from different banks attend on set days.
- Post Office: Lloyds customers can do everyday banking, including cash deposits and withdrawals, at Post Office branches.
- PayPoint: You can deposit cash at more than 30,000 PayPoint locations, according to Lloyds.
- Community bankers: Lloyds says it has more than 170 community bankers working in local neighbourhoods.
- Phone and app: Telephone banking and the mobile app handle most routine jobs.
Services at hubs and the Post Office vary, so check what is available locally before relying on them.
How to Find Out Whether Your Branch Is Closing
Start with the branch pages on the Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland websites, which carry closure notices. Which? also publishes a table of every closing branch for 2026 and 2027.
Then work through these steps:
- Check the closure date and your nearest alternative branch.
- Look for a banking hub in your area, as it may change the timetable.
- Set up the app and make sure your contact details are up to date.
- Ask about cash deposit options if you run a small business or take cash payments.
- Tell older or less confident relatives, and offer to help them adjust their routines.
Who Is Most Affected by the Closures?
Not everyone finds digital banking easy. Older customers, people without reliable broadband and small businesses that handle cash often rely on a local counter. Smaller towns can feel the loss more than cities, because the next branch may be a long journey away. Rural areas may also have patchy mobile signal, which makes app-only banking harder.
Accessibility matters too. Customers with disabilities, or anyone who prefers to resolve problems in person, may find alternatives less convenient. If that is you, tell your bank early and ask what support is available.
If you are unhappy with how a closure was handled, complain to the bank first. You can then take it to the Financial Ombudsman Service if you remain unhappy.
How to Manage Without a Local Branch
Losing a branch need not mean losing control of your money. A few habits make the change easier.
- Pay in cheques through the mobile app. Most major banks, including Lloyds, support this, though limits apply, so check yours.
- Use a trusted device and turn on biometric login, such as fingerprint or face recognition.
- Keep a note of your telephone banking number for times when the app is unavailable.
- Plan your cash needs. Withdraw at cash machines, the Post Office or a banking hub rather than waiting until you are short.
Stay alert to scams too. Fraudsters often exploit news about changes at banks. Your bank will never ask you to move money to a “safe account” or share your PIN. If a call feels wrong, hang up and ring the number on your card.
Will There Be More Lloyds Branch Closures?
One report says the group does not plan to announce further closures until at least 2029. Treat that cautiously. Plans can change, and individual closure dates sometimes move.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many branches is Lloyds closing?
Which? reports 232 Lloyds Banking Group closures in 2026 and 13 in 2027, covering Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland. That makes about 245 branches in total.
Will my account close if my branch shuts?
No. Your account stays open and you can keep using the app, telephone banking and any other Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland branch. Check your closure letter for specific details.
Where can I pay in cash after a Lloyds branch closes?
You can use another group branch, a Post Office, a banking hub where one exists, or any of more than 30,000 PayPoint locations. Services vary by location, so check first.
What is a banking hub?
A banking hub is a shared space where customers of several banks can withdraw and deposit cash, pay bills and speak to community bankers who attend on set days.
Conclusion
The Lloyds Banking Group closures plan will reshape high street banking until at least early 2027, with Halifax, Lloyds Bank and Bank of Scotland branches all affected. Your account will stay open, but how you use it may change. Check your branch’s closure date, find the nearest alternative and get comfortable with the app and telephone banking. Take extra care to help older or less confident relatives. A little preparation now will keep everyday banking simple, even after your local branch has gone.
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