London, April 30, 2026, 12:03 BST
Santander is pulling the shutters down on 40 UK branches, kicking off the latest round with 13 closures this week. Another 27 are set to follow in May, pushing Britain’s high street banks further into digital territory. The move puts January’s announced plan to work, making branch exits across town centres a reality.
Timing is key here. Santander’s latest round of branch closures hits just as NatWest, Lloyds, and Halifax are all set to shutter locations in May, stacking more strain on towns that are already watching shops, post offices, and other mainstays disappear. According to The Sun, 52 bank branches are on the chopping block for May—Santander accounts for 27 of those, while NatWest will close 15, Lloyds eight, and Halifax two.
Santander points to a surge in digital usage as the reason: these days, 96% of all transactions happen online. Branch transactions have plunged 66% since 2019. Following the latest round of changes, Santander will operate 305 UK branches—this includes everything from full-service locations to counter-free branches, shorter-hours sites, Work Cafés, and 111 Santander Locals, which offer a more compact setup with bank reps on hand.
This week saw branches close in Berwick-upon-Tweed, Boston, Evesham, Mold, Ramsgate and Woking on April 28. The following day, Bangor, Bridgwater, Kirkintilloch, Melton Mowbray, Newbury, Scunthorpe and Tonbridge shut their doors as well. Up next: Haverfordwest, located at 37 Bridge Street in Pembrokeshire, is set for closure on May 5.
NatWest is also trimming its footprint, aiming to close 32 branches from May 2026 through February 2027. On the list for May are locations in Eastcote, Manchester Cheetham Hill, Brentwood, Hartlepool, Hove, Tooting, Loughton, Chorlton, Harlow, Hornchurch, Orpington, and Waltham Cross.
NatWest points to shifting demand for digital banking as the reason behind changes in branch usage, noting that customers facing closures will get details on alternative ways to bank nearby. The bank’s site highlights Post Office branches, video banking, ATMs, community pop-ups, and helplines for those who are older or isolated as some of the substitutes.
It’s not just Santander and NatWest pulling back. According to Which?, banks and building societies have axed 6,719 branches since January 2015—wiping out 68% of the network that existed at the beginning of that year. Another 228 closures are already on the books for 2026.
Santander UK is slashing costs as it faces fresh challenges elsewhere. The lender logged a first-quarter pre- tax profit of £202 million on April 29, down £156 million from the same period last year, hit primarily by a £179 million provision tied to historic motor finance commission payouts. “Continued net lending growth” and reduced expenses from “simplification and automation” defined the quarter, chief executive Mahesh Aditya said. Investegate
Banks may be shuttering branches quicker than many customers are able to keep up, raising concerns. Alastair Douglas, chief executive at TotallyMoney, points to a “duty of care” for banks. “The real concern is for the elderly and vulnerable,” he said, highlighting those who depend on cash and need in-person service. GB News
Banks are highlighting shared banking hubs as part of their strategy. According to Cash Access UK, there are 231 banking hubs and 141 deposit services operating nationwide. At these hubs—which bring together multiple banks—customers can handle cash transactions and, on certain days, meet with a community banker.
May brings the next round of closures. Santander will shutter Haverfordwest, Gosport, Huntingdon, Pontefract and Welwyn Garden City on May 5. Over at NatWest, Waltham Cross is set to close its doors on May 28. For customers relying on physical branches, the question isn’t about the decline of high street banking anymore—it’s what’s left in the neighborhood once these branches are gone.
