Santander announces 111 UK branch closures as consumers go digital
Santander has announced the closure of 111 branches across the UK, affecting around 840 staff.
Santander says branch transactions have fallen 50%
The bank says its decision comes as part of a long-term strategy, which has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Branch usage by customers has fallen considerably over recent years,” says Adam Bishop, head of branches at the bank.
“We have made the difficult decision to consolidate our presence in areas where we have multiple branches relatively close together.”
Only branches within three miles of another Santander location are to be closed. Affected staff will be moved into other roles where possible.
The move reduces Santander’s branch presence in the UK to 452.
Going digital, moving HQ
Santander says transactions in branches fell by 30% in the two years prior to the start of the pandemic. Since then, it believes that figure has fallen by a further 50%.
The bank is also shifting its headquarters from London to Milton Keynes, to reduce the space it rents in the UK capital.
5,000 office staff are expected to be affected by the change, with most being asked to work from home.
The move follows a similar announcement from UK lender Nationwide, which introduced a “work anywhere” flexible working scheme for its staff.
“The pandemic has accelerated the existing trend towards greater flexible working,” says Nathan Bostock, Santander’s UK CEO.
“We will provide every support to customers of closing branches to find alternative ways to bank with us that best suit their individual needs.”
Santander experience its first ever loss in its 163-year history in the second quarter of 2020. The bank revealed a 35% dip in pre-tax profits at the start of 2021.
Buck the trend
In February the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) called on major banks to reconsider any planned branch closures.
The notice came in the wake of HSBC, announcing the closure of 82 locations, and a consultation with a group of lenders keen to push on with revamping their networks.
“Firms are reminded to consider the impact of national restrictions on compliance,” it said. “We are concerned that these activities could have significant consequences for customers.”
According to British Bank Association data, there were 10,405 bank or building society branches in the UK at the end of 2019.
Of these, 8,525 were bank branches and 1,880 were building society branches. Between 2012 and 2019, the total number of bank and building society branches in the UK has fallen by 22%.
Which? Research suggests that between January 2019 and December 2021 as many as 4,000 bank branches could close, at a rate of 11 a week.
Related: Santander picks Planixs tech to power liquidity management
