Two more banks in Devon to close
The Lloyds in South Molton and the Halifax in Paignton will close by November
Devon's set to lose two more banks over the next few months
The Lloyds in South Molton will close in September, and the Halifax in Paignton will shut in November, as part of cutbacks by Lloyds Banking Group.
They're among 21 Lloyds Bank sites, 15 Halifax and 17 Bank of Scotland being closed nationwide.
'A disappointing loss for a thriving market town'
North Devon MP Selaine Saxby has called the news 'very disappointing'
She says, "I understand that the bank usage has dropped considerably from an already relatively low number in the last five years, but South Molton is the central hub for a wider rural area and while the community banker service on offer and the Post Office will no doubt be able provide a reasonable service, it is just not quite the same.
"We are still to secure a promised banking hub in Ilfracombe which lost its last bank recently and I know that both rural and coastal communities and their businesses will adapt.
"This is, however, a disappointing loss for an otherwise thriving market town.”
Lloyds Banking Group said: "Our customers are increasingly using digital channels to manage their money, we now have over 20 million customers choosing to bank online.
"Customers can also bank with us over the phone, through the Post Office or in a banking hub.
"Alongside our digital and mobile banking options, we're introducing more community bankers to provide face to face banking support in communities.
"All colleagues at these branches will be offered a role at another branch or elsewhere in our business."