Santander to Shut 44 Branches as UK High Streets Lose Another Major Bank
Another major shift is hitting the UK’s high streets and this time it’s Santander pulling down the shutters on dozens of branches, a move that puts hundreds of jobs on the line and raises fresh questions about access to banking for everyday customers.
Santander has confirmed it will close 44 branches across the UK, placing around 291 jobs at risk. The closures are spread widely, from England and Wales to Scotland and Northern Ireland and many communities will lose one of their last remaining physical bank branches. For some towns, that means the nearest bank could soon be miles away.
The bank says the decision reflects how people now manage their money. Santander points to a dramatic shift toward mobile and online banking, saying the vast majority of transactions are already done digitally. In simple terms, fewer customers are walking into branches and the bank says it can no longer justify the cost of keeping all of them open.
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To soften the impact, Santander says it will offer alternative support. In areas where branches close, staff may be redeployed to shared banking hubs or so-called Santander Locals, often based in libraries or community centres, where help is available on limited days. The bank also says it will contact vulnerable customers directly to help them find other ways to bank.
But critics argue this does not fully replace a permanent branch. Ministers and consumer groups have warned repeatedly about the rise of “banking deserts,” areas with no nearby access to cash or face-to-face banking. Elderly customers, people with disabilities and small businesses that rely on cash deposits are often the hardest hit.
These closures are also part of a much bigger picture. Santander is preparing for a major takeover of rival bank TSB, a deal worth billions of pounds. While regulators have not yet approved it, the move has already sparked fears of overlapping branches, job cuts and further consolidation across the banking sector.
Santander is not alone. Other high-street banks have announced large-scale closures in recent years as the industry continues its rapid digital transformation. One notable exception is Nationwide, which has pledged to keep its remaining branches open until at least 2030, citing strong demand for in-person services.
What’s happening here is more than a cost-cutting exercise. It’s a clear signal of how banking is changing and it forces a difficult question. As services move online, who gets left behind and how do communities adapt when the bank on the corner disappears?
This story is still developing and its impact will be felt town by town. Stay with us as we track the closures, the response from regulators and what it means for customers across the UK and beyond.
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