“71 High Street Bank Branches to Close Due to Rise in Online Banking”

Three major high street banks, part of Lloyds Banking Group, have announced the closure of 71 branches next year due to the increasing trend of online banking. The list includes 40 Lloyds branches, 14 Halifax locations, and 17 Bank of Scotland sites. Customers affected by these closures have the option to use branches across any of the three banks for their everyday banking needs. Additionally, they can locate nearby “banking hubs” set up in shared public spaces. Lloyds Banking Group emphasized that the shift towards digital banking is driven by customer preference, with over 21 million customers opting for apps to manage their finances. In response, the group is enhancing digital services while maintaining physical banking options at various locations. Customers can also utilize the Post Office or deposit cash at over 30,000 PayPoint locations.