Halifax to close Stowmarket branch in November
The branch is shutting as it has less than 100 regular customers
Last updated 27th Jul 2022
Halifax is to close its branch in Stowmarket in November.
Owners Lloyds Banking Group say more customers are now banking online, with less than 100 regular visitors to the branch every month.
The number of transactions handled at the bank has plunged by 60& over the past 5 years.
Russell Galley, director of consumer relationships at Lloyds Banking Group said: "Our customers have more choice than ever in how they bank with us.
"As our customers do more online, visits to some branches have fallen by as much as 85% over the last five years.
"Alongside our digital, online and telephone services, we'll continue to invest in our branches, but they need to be in the right places, where they're well-used."
The bank came under fire from trade union Unite in May which said closures are abandoning communities who need access to banking, and putting jobs at risk.
Unite said over 5,000 bank and building society branches have closed since 2015.
But Lloyds said it now has 19.1 million online banking customers and 15.6 million mobile app users as consumers increasingly turn to digital services.
It also confirmed that all of the branch locations announced for closure have at least one free to use ATM within half a mile and a Post Office within 1.1 miles.
Once all the announced closures are complete, there will be 646 Lloyds Bank, 510 Halifax and 165 Bank of Scotland branches remaining.