Santander broadcasts 44 extra department closures: Here’s which areas are affected

Santander has announced plans to close 44 more branches across the country, putting 291 jobs at risk.

The high street bank said its customers were increasingly shifting to banking online and planned to ‘transform its branch network in response to changing customer behaviour.’

Santander said most of the branches due to close will do so by the end of May 2026, with two expected to close by the end of January 2027.

The closures will leave Santander with 305 branches, including 244 full-service branches.

The bank today said the areas losing branches will be covered by ‘community bankers’ who will visit local libraries and community centres to offer advice.

Shutting shop: Santander announced 44 more branch closures as customers shift online

Digital transactions now account for 96 per cent of all transactions, the bank said. Since 2019, there has been a 64 per cent rise in digital transactions, while in-branch payments have reduced by 66 per cent.

Santander announced 95 branch closures last year as it rolled out more of its ‘work cafes’.

Santander agreed to buy TSB last July to create Britain’s second biggest bank. The deal, which is expected to complete in the first quarter of this year, sparked fears of further bank closures.

Banks have faced fierce criticism for branch closures, particularly their impact on vulnerable people and those living in rural areas. 

The Federation of Small Business warns the pace of closures is damaging the high street, contributing to lower footfall and reducing infrastructure to support cash payments. 

By the end of this year, 6,731 branches will have disappeared. 

A spokesperson for Santander UK, said: ‘In response to a continuing and sizeable shift towards customers using digital banking, we are making changes to our branches to better support our customers.

‘We will continue to invest in both our branch network – comprising of full-service branches, counter-free branches, reduced-hour branches, Santander Locals, and our increasingly popular Work Cafés – as well as our digital banking services, so we can be there to support our customers however they choose to bank with us.’

The Spanish-owned bank said approximately 291 staff were at risk of redundancy if the proposals go ahead after consultation with the unions.