Lloyds group to close 60 more branches

Lloyds group to close 60 more branches
Trade unions have criticised Lloyds Banking Group’s decision to close 60 branches across the UK between June and September 2022.
The company said it would shut 24 Lloyds Bank branches, 19 Bank of Scotland branches and 17 Halifax branches, a move described by the Unite union as “devastating” for communities. Lloyds said it would try to find new roles for the 124 staff affected by the closures.
Vim Maru, group retail director, said: “Fewer customers are choosing to visit our branches. Our branch network is an important way for us to support our customers, but we need to adapt to the significant growth in customers choosing to do most of their everyday banking online.”
The bank said the number of online banking customers had risen by 12% in the last two years, while mobile app users had increased by 27%. In 2021, the group announced plans to close more than 90 branches.
Link, the UK’s largest cash machine network, have recommended that in three locations – Buckingham, Cottingham and Troon – banking hubs should be created where customers of all main banks can carry out day-to-day banking.
Lloyds said it would continue to operate in those locations until the hubs are established, the BBC has reported.
However, Caren Evans, national officer for Unite, said Lloyds “should not be allowed to abandon 60 more local communities where bank branches play an essential role.
“When a bank branch closes, the heart of the local community is ripped out and the results are devastating. Unite is clear that simply leaving an ATM in place of a vibrant bank branch is wholly insufficient.”