Santander UK to Close 44 Branches, Risk 291 Jobs

Santander UK, the British arm of the Spanish banking giant, has announced plans to close 44 branches across the country, a move that places 291 jobs at risk. The closures, set to occur primarily by the end of May 2026 with a few extending to January 2027, reflect a broader shift among customers toward digital banking services.

The bank attributed the decision to evolving customer preferences, noting that 96 percent of all transactions now take place through digital channels. Since 2019, digital transactions have increased by 64 percent, while financial transactions in branches have declined by 66 percent over the same period. In the past year alone, branch-based financial transactions dropped by 13 percent. Santander emphasized that these changes aim to adapt its network to meet demand, with branches being replaced by community bankers operating from local spaces such as libraries or community centers.

Following the closures, Santander's network will consist of 305 branches, including 244 full-service locations, 19 counter-free branches, 36 reduced-hour branches, and six Work Cafés. The bank will also maintain 111 Santander Locals, which provide face-to-face support in community...