Three major high street banks, Lloyds Bank, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland, are planning to shut down a total of 71 branches next year due to the increasing trend of online banking. The closures were initially announced by Lloyds Banking Group earlier this year.

The breakdown of the closures includes 40 Lloyds branches, 14 Halifax locations, and 17 Bank of Scotland sites. Customers affected by the closures have alternative options available to them.

For those impacted, Lloyds, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland customers can conduct their everyday banking transactions at branches of any of these three banks. Additionally, they can explore the possibility of utilizing a “banking hub” nearby, where a bank operates in a shared public space on the high street.

A representative from Lloyds Banking Group highlighted the shift in customer banking preferences towards digital platforms, with over 21 million customers opting for apps to manage their finances. The spokesperson emphasized the bank’s commitment to offering a range of choices, blending digital convenience with personalized service. Customers can access services not only through the bank’s app but also at any Lloyds, Halifax, or Bank of Scotland branch, the Post Office, or banking hubs, and can deposit cash at more than 30,000 PayPoint locations.