The bank said the closures are due to “changing customer behaviour”, which has seen more people turn to online banking. These closures will be supported by the introduction of Community Bankers, who will offer face-to-face assistance either from a Santander Local or, where necessary, a Banking Hub, ensuring continued in-person support for local communities. After the changes, Santander’s branch network will comprise of 305 branches: 244 full-service branches, 19 counter-free branches, 36 branches with reduced opening hours, and six Work Cafés, alongside 111 Santander Locals.

Santander Locals will provide in-person support in areas where a branch has closed and a Banking Hub is not needed. Based in local community spaces such as libraries and community centres, Santander has experienced a significant shift towards digital banking. Currently, 96% of all transactions are completed through digital channels.

Since 2019, digital transactions have increased by 64%, while in-branch financial transactions have fallen by 66% over the same period. In the past year alone, the volume of financial transactions carried out in branches has decreased by a further 13%.

A Santander UK spokesperson 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.” 

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