Government steps in as NatWest, Santander and Lloyds close branches in May and June

The government has stepped in amid concerns over hundreds of branch closures across the whole of the UK . Dozens of branches of NatWest, Santander, Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland branches across the UK were confirmed earlier this year to be closing as the banks say people are moving towards online services . This follows hundreds more branches which have already shut their doors from these institutions as well as others including Barclays and HSBC. However earlier this year Barclays announced it was pausing its closure programme. It said last month that it would instead maintain and invest in its remaining branches. Many of the closed branches have been replaced by banking hubs in other buildings which provide some banking services. However, the widespread closures have left some customers and other organisations concerned about a lack of availability for people to access face-to-face services. Now the government has said it will "take action" to ensure people will continue to have access the services they need. Announcing an independent review HM Treasury said: "The Government is taking action to ensure people and communities across the UK can continue to access the banking services they need by commissioning an independent review alongside delivering new powers to act on the findings. "The way people across the UK use retail banking services has changed significantly, with many customers now choosing to bank online. In response, banks and building societies have reshaped their branch networks, reflecting changing customer preferences - but this may be creating challenges for those who rely on in-person banking services. The review will gather evidence on the real‑ world impact of branch closures, identify who is most affected, and assess where further action may be needed to protect access to banking services." The Review follows the announcement of the Financial Services and Markets Bill in the King’s Speech, where the Treasury intends to include a power to be able to act swiftly if the evidence supports intervention on access to banking services. Lucy Rigby, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said: "Banking services are a really important part of lives and communities, and it’s critical we can all access what we need – whether through local banking services or strong community-based alternatives like credit unions. "We are supporting industry’s roll out of banking hubs , but we also need a clear picture of where communities are still losing out. This independent Review will show us where the problems are and what further action may be required – and we will move quickly to legislate where the evidence shows it is needed." The Access to Banking Review will be chaired by Richard Lloyd OBE, who will provide a report and recommendations to Government by October 2026. He brings strong regulatory and consumer experience, having served as a non-executive director (and interim Chair) of the Financial Conduct Authority and as Executive Director of Which? He said: "Banking is an essential service that every consumer and community in the UK needs. That’s why it’s so important to take stock of the impact that the big shift to digital services has already had, and to understand the need for access to in-person banking in the future. "I hope to hear from as wide a range of views as possible, and welcome the Treasury’s commitment to taking action should this independent review find evidence that new legislation is needed." Gareth Oakley, Chief Executive Officer, Cash Access UK said: "While cash usage continues to decline as digital payments expand, we’ve seen first-hand how important local access to cash and face-to-face banking is for many households and businesses. Our job is to deliver solutions where these are needed and to date we’ve opened 237 banking hubs and over 140 deposit services. "There’s more work to be done, but the good news is that 95% of customer needs are met when visiting a banking hub and nearly 9 in 10 customers would recommend Hub services to family and friends. We look forward to contributing towards the review and working with Government." The Bill will also take forward some of the credit union common bond reforms announced in March, making it easier for credit unions in Great Britain to expand and broaden their membership. Credit unions area not-for-profit financial cooperatives owned and run by its members, offering a safe alternative to banks for savings, loans, and current accounts. Members pool their money to lend to each other. This means they can access lower-cost credit and community-focused services, with all profits reinvested for member benefit rather than shareholders. Figures from early in 2026 show there were up to 390 active credit unions operating across the UK. Sarah Harrison, Chief Executive, Building Societies Association (BSA) said: "Building societies and credit unions are rooted in local communities and provide more than 1 in 3 high street branches. As customer needs change, building societies are continuing to meet these both by investing in digital channels as well as innovating in high street branches and the use of community spaces - so it’s the customer’s choice of how and when to engage. "We welcome the Government’s Access to Banking Review and look forward to contributing. The proposed credit union reforms are an important step in helping more people to access fair, straightforward financial services, essential at a time when household finances are under real pressure. Access to affordable borrowing and a safe place." Matt Bland, Chief Executive, All Together Money – The credit union movement, said: "We’re delighted to see credit union common bond reform confirmed in the King’s Speech. This is a significant step forward for the sector in delivering our Credit Union Sector Growth Plan. "The proposed changes will remove barriers to growth and provide credit unions with greater flexibility to reach many more people with affordable financial services alongside the major Fair4All Finance investment in credit union transformation committed to in the Financial Inclusion Strategy." In the latest wave of closures there are 130 NatWest, Santander, Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland UK branches confirmed to be closing with the majority going during May and June. Beow is a full list of all those set to close and the dates they are due to permanently close their doors. Branches closing in May 2026 Newton Abbot, Devon: May 19 Stafford, Staffordshire: May 19 Banbridge, County Down: May 19 Liskeard, Cornwall: May 20 Shirley, West Midlands: May 20 Branches closing in May Loughton: May 18 Tooting: May 18 Hove: May 19 Chorlton-cum-Hardy: May 20 Harlow: May 21 Hornchurch: May 21 Orpington: May 27 Waltham Cross: May 28 Branches closing in June Hemel Hempstead: June 1 Palmers Green, London: June 1 Aldershot: June 2 Welwyn Garden City: June 3 Pontefract: June 4 Southall: June 4 Sheffield - Attercliffe: June 8 South Shields : June 9 Kirkby Lonsdale: June 10 Boston: June 11 Grays: June 15 Liverpool Street Station: June 17 Fulham Broadway: June 18 Halifax: June 18 Branches closing in August Evesham: August 25 Branches closing in September Regent Street, London: September 30 Branches closing in February 2027 Godalming: February 23 unless a banking hub is set up earlier which will bring this date forward Sydenham: February 23 or later if a banking hub is still to be found Herne Bay: February 24 Branches closing in May London Oxford Street 113-117, Greater London: May 27 London Tottenham Court Rd, Greater London: May 27 London Victoria, Greater London: May 27 Bournemouth, Dorset: May 28 Redhill, Surrey: May 28 Streatham, Greater London: May 28 Branches closing in June Cheapside, Greater London: June 1 West Byfleet, Surrey: June 1 Staines, Surrey: June 1 Norwich Aylsham Rd, Norfolk: June 2 Birmingham Kingstanding, West Midlands: June 3 Cardiff Victoria Park, Wales: June 3 London Bridge, Greater London: June 3 Birmingham Maypole, West Midlands: June 4 Golders Green, Greater London: June 8 Birkenhead, Merseyside: June 8 Lymington, Hampshire: June 8 Altrincham, Greater Manchester: June 9 Crowborough, East Sussex: June 9 Lancaster, Lancashire: June 9 Southam, Warwickshire: June 9 Hinckley, Leicestershire: June 10 Birmingham Blackheath, West Midlands: June 10 South Newington, Oxfordshire: June 10 Wolverhampton Tettenhall, West Midlands: June 11 Hull Ings Rd, East Yorkshire: June 15 Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire: June 15 Birmingham Bordesley Green, West Midlands: June 16 Llangefni, Wales: June 16 Wareham, Dorset: June 16 Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire: June 17 Woodley, Berkshire – June 17 Sevenoaks, Kent: June 18 Uttoxeter, Staffordshire: June 18 Camberwell Green, Greater London: June 22 Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire: June 22 Kingswinford, West Midlands: June 22 Aberdare, Wales: June 23 Coalville, Leicestershire: June 23 Heswall, Merseyside: June 23* Ringwood, Hampshire: June 23* Didcot, Oxfordshire: June 24* Newmarket, Suffolk: June 24* Branches closing in July Swansea Enterprise Park, Wales: July 2 Branches closing in August Daventry, Northamptonshire: August 3 Bristol Fishponds, Bristol: August 6 Horncastle, Lincolnshire: August 10 Branches closing in 2027 Clevedon - 16 The Triangle: March 15 Ebbw Vale - 25 Market Street: March 15 Street - 64 High Street: March 15 Honiton- 82 High Street: March 16 Wednesbury - 111 Walsall Street: March 16 Stoke-on-Trent - 18-20 The Strand: March 17 Branches closing in May Islington Upper St, Greater London: May 27 Skelmersdale, Lancashire: May 27* Hammersmith, Greater London: May 28 Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester: June 1 Chichester, West Sussex: June 1 Cwmbran, Wales: June 2 Horsham, West Sussex: June 2 Southgate, Greater London: June 2 Surrey Quays Shop Ctr, Greater London: June 2 Ashington, Northumberland: June 3 Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands: June 3 Beeston, Nottinghamshire: June 4 Billingham, County Durham: June 4 Ellesmere Port, Cheshire: June 8 Hunts Cross, Merseyside: June 8 Shipley, West Yorkshire: June 9 Didsbury, Greater Manchester: June 10 Bridgend, Wales: June 11 Cardiff Albany Road, Wales: June 11 Bognor Regis, West Sussex: June 15 Bramley, West Yorkshire: June 15 Greenford, Greater London: June 16 West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire: June 16 Goole, East Yorkshire: June 17 Halesowen, West Midlands: June 17 Thornaby, North Yorkshire: June 17 Chorley, Lancashire: June 24 Croydon City, Greater London: June 25 Branches closing in July Torquay, Devon: July 9 Branches closing in 2027 Mexborough - 56 High Street: March 15 Armthorpe - 5-6 Croft Court Church Street: March 17 Branches closing in June Garrowhill: June 4 Penicuik: June 4 Bridge Of Don: June 10 Haddington: June 11 Rutherglen: June 11 Broughty Ferry: June 15 Blairgowrie: June 18 Stonehaven: June 18 Kelso: June 18 Lochgilphead: June 22 Branches closing in July Benbecula, Balivanich: July 1 Largs, 32 Main Street: July 29 Branches closing in October Hawick: October 7 Grangemouth: October 8 Closure dates at locations marked with an asterisk are subject to change as banking hubs have been recommended for those areas.