Lloyds Banking Group Closes 17 More UK Branches in November

Lloyds Banking Group is closing 17 bank branches across the United Kingdom in November, including nine Lloyds and eight Halifax locations. This follows a period of rapid contraction, with 23 branches closed in October and 95 over the summer. The group attributes the closures to a surge in digital banking and increasing operating costs related to staffing, business rates, and energy bills.

As part of this trend, the group closed its Market Place branch in Devizes, Wiltshire, on October 21. Following the closure, the bank boarded up the ATM and frosted ground-floor windows after Wiltshire Council granted listed building consent on October 19 to remove branding and signage. Local customers noted that the loss of in-person services would particularly impact older generations who rely on face-to-face professional advice.

To mitigate the impact on rural and vulnerable customers, the Financial Conduct Authority has introduced banking hubs operated by the Post Office. Lloyds Banking Group stated it follows these regulatory guidelines and may deploy Community Bankers or establish Deposit Services in affected areas to maintain access to banking services. Since 2015, more than 6,600 branches have closed across the UK as customers shift toward mobile apps and online services.