Santander To Close 44 UK Branches In 2026

As the digital revolution reshapes the UK’s banking landscape, Santander has announced it will shutter 44 of its branches across the country between April 2026 and January 2027, putting 291 jobs at risk. The move, confirmed on January 29, 2026, is the latest in a series of closures by major banks grappling with the rapid shift of customers toward online and mobile banking platforms. It’s a trend that’s not just changing how people manage their money, but also raising tough questions about the future of face-to-face financial services for millions of Britons.

According to the BBC, Santander’s decision follows a year in which it had already closed 95 branches, impacting 750 workers. The bank, which is owned by Spain-based Banco Santander, is hardly alone: Lloyds Bank has also announced plans to shut more than 100 branches by March 2026. The closures are part of a much wider wave sweeping the high street, as banks recalibrate their networks to match changing customer habits.

The numbers tell a compelling story. Santander revealed that a staggering 96% of its transactions are now completed digitally. This seismic shift has left many of its physical locations underused, prompting the bank to streamline its operations. In a statement reported by The Independent, a Santander 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.”

But what does this mean for the communities losing their local branches? Santander says it isn’t pulling up stakes entirely. Wherever a branch is closing, a Santander representative will operate from a nearby banking hub or a ‘Santander Local’—locations set up in libraries and community centers—at least one day each week. These community bankers are intended to offer a lifeline for those who still need in-person support. The bank is also investing tens of millions of pounds into refurbishing its remaining branches, with more than 220 sites upgraded over the past six years and 30 more set for refurbishment in the coming year, according to The Independent.

Even as it scales back, Santander insists it is committed to a “multi-channel” approach. “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 cafes—as well as our digital banking services, so we can be there to support our customers however they choose to bank with us,” the bank said in its official statement, as reported by BBC and The Guardian.

Still, the closures will leave Santander with just 244 full-service branches, alongside 19 counter-free branches, 36 reduced-hour branches, six work cafes, and 111 Santander Locals. Only the full-service branches will continue to offer mortgage advice and in-person cash and cheque deposits. That’s a far cry from the 349 branches the bank operated before this latest announcement, and a clear sign of how the banking map is being redrawn.

The human cost is significant. Nearly 300 branch-based workers are facing redundancy, though Santander has said there will be some alternative roles that affected staff can apply for. The bank has also pledged to consult with unions as it pushes forward with its plans. According to The Guardian, the Communication Workers Union (CWU), which represents many Santander UK staff, has been contacted for comment.

For vulnerable customers—such as the elderly or those less comfortable with digital technology—the closures are particularly concerning. Ministers have criticized the trend, warning that it restricts access to cash and vital banking services for those who rely on face-to-face support. Santander has responded by saying it will proactively reach out to customers who may be affected, contacting them by phone to help them find alternative ways to bank.

The closures are not happening in isolation. The UK banking sector as a whole is grappling with how to maintain access to cash and services as physical branches disappear. The rise of so-called “banking hubs”—shared spaces funded by the major high street banks and run by local Post Office managers—has been touted as a solution. These hubs allow customers from different banks to access basic services in one location. However, as BBC notes, the rollout of these hubs has been slow, and some regions—such as parts of Yorkshire—are at risk of becoming “banking deserts,” with the nearest branch more than 10 miles away.

Not every financial institution is following the same playbook. Nationwide, the UK’s largest building society, has bucked the trend by pledging to keep all 696 of its remaining branches open until at least 2030. Interestingly, Nationwide has reported rising numbers of customers using its branches over the past year. However, it’s worth noting that before making this pledge in 2023, Nationwide had already closed 10% of its network.

Santander’s branch closures come at a time of major change for the bank itself. The Spanish-owned lender is preparing for a £2.6 billion takeover of rival TSB, a deal announced in July 2025. The acquisition, which still awaits regulatory approval, would make Santander the UK’s third largest bank by personal current account deposits, behind Lloyds and NatWest. The merger has stoked fears of further job cuts and rationalization of branch networks, as the combined group looks for efficiencies and considers the future of the 215-year-old TSB brand. TSB currently serves 5 million customers through 175 branches and 5,000 staff, while Santander UK has about 14 million customers and, before the latest cuts, 350 branches and 18,000 staff.

There’s another headache looming for Santander: the prospect of a hefty compensation bill linked to the UK’s motor finance scandal. Last year, the bank set aside £295 million to cover potential payouts to car loan customers. Outgoing chief executive Mike Regnier has urged the government to step in, warning that the regulator’s proposed £11 billion compensation scheme could inflict “significant” harm on consumers, jobs, and the broader economy.

For those wondering if their local branch is on the chopping block, the list of affected locations is long and geographically diverse. From Andover in Hampshire and Banbridge in County Down to Woking in Surrey and Wilmslow in Cheshire, communities across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will feel the impact. Some closures are set for as early as April 28, 2026, while others will stretch into January 2027.

As the dust settles, Santander’s strategy is clear: double down on digital, keep a slimmer but more modern branch network, and try to soften the blow for the communities and workers caught in the transition. Whether that’s enough to satisfy customers—especially those left behind by the digital tide—remains to be seen. What’s certain is that the shape of British banking is changing fast, and the days of a bank on every high street may soon be a thing of the past.