Santander has today announced plans to close 44 branches as it continues to transform its branch network in response to changing customer behaviour.
Santander has seen a rapid increase in customers choosing to do their banking digitally, with 96% of all transactions now being completed in digital channels. Since 2019, there has been a 64% rise in digital transactions, while financial transactions completed in branches reduced by 66% in the same period. Over the last year alone, there has been a 13% decrease in the volume of financial transactions taking place in branch.
In addition, since 2019, the bank has seen:
• 83% of current accounts opened digitally
• 67% increase in mobile banking users
• 109% increase in mobile banking app transactions
• 70% increase in mobile logins
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.”
All Santander current and business account holders can also bank using one of over 11,000 Post Office branches nationwide and more than 200 Banking Hubs. All branches that are closing are within 1.4 miles of the nearest Post Office.
To support the changes, Santander will be proactively contacting all potentially vulnerable customers by phone and will assist those customers of closing branches to find other ways to bank that best suit their needs, including help to find alternative branches and access digital, telephone and Post Office banking services. A dedicated phone number is available to provide customers with help and information on the closures (0330 678 2469).
Approximately 291 colleagues would be placed at risk of redundancy if the proposals proceed after consultation with the unions has been completed, however there will be a number of redeployment opportunities that impacted colleagues can apply for. Support will be provided to those colleagues, including assistance in finding redeployment roles within the bank, access to specialist outplacement support, and dedicated well-being support. A 24-hour Employee Assistance Helpline is also available for colleagues.
It is proposed that the Boston branch, located on Wide Bargate, will close on April 28th 2026.
