Lloyds to close 49 branches

The closures are to take effect between July and October, the bank said, having announced last year that almost 150 were to shut across its brands – the latest cuts being made in November.

This latest announcement will see 305 jobs cut, although it added 925 new roles would be created as part of its restructuring plans.

In a statement, Lloyds Banking Group said: “We have confirmed the locations of some Lloyds Bank and Halifax branches which will close between July and October this year. These branch closures are in response to changing behaviour and the reduced number of transactions being made in branches.”

“We are also announcing that our mobile branch service will be expanded to support customers in more locations with the introduction of seven new mobile branches. This will bring the total number of mobile branches to 36 which will serve over 180 communities. All branches announced for closure have a Post Office within short walking distance so customers can still access their banking locally.”

The bank’s most recent top line figures, which were released in February, show the pre-tax profit for 2017 was £5.3bn, 24 percent higher than a year earlier, and the bank’s highest profit since 2006.

The government sold its last shares in Lloyds in May 2017, eight years after pumping in £20bn to save it.