Santander banks on digital, closing 95 branches with 750 jobs at risk
Santander has announced plans to close 95 branches across the UK, putting around 750 jobs at risk.
The Spanish-owned high street bank will also reduce operating hours at 36 locations and convert 18 branches into counter-free sites.
While a full list of branches that will close has been published, dates for all closures have not been confirmed yet.
The shift towards online banking has been cited as the primary reason for the closures, as digital transactions have surged by 63% since 2019, while in-branch transactions have dropped by 61% during the same period.
Several of these closures are across the North West and include:
- Cleveleys, scheduled to close on June 23
- Colne, July 14
- Didsbury, July 8
- Formby, August 11
- Kirkby, TBC
- Lytham St Annes TBC
- Rawtenstall, July 15
- Urmston TBC
Following these changes, Santander will operate 349 branches nationwide, including 290 full-service locations and five work cafés, offering free co-working spaces.
Santander has estimated that 93% of the UK population will still be within 10 miles of a branch.
