Lloyds to close an extra 200 bank branches
Lloyds Banking Group is set to close an extra 200 branches by the end of 2017, making it even harder for people to bank in their local communities.
Lloyds Banking Group is axing another 200 branches by the end of 2017.
The new wave of cuts are in addition to the 9,000 job losses and 200 branch closures announced by the bank in 2014.
It comes despite the fact that pre-tax profits were at £2.5 billion for the half-year to the end of June and at £1.2 billion in the same period last year.
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Banking moving online
Lloyds Banking Group said the branch closures and job cuts were necessary cost-cutting measures as the bank sought to shield itself from the impact of last month's shock Brexit vote.
Laith Khalaf, senior analyst at investment firm Hargreaves Lansdown, said the changes also reflect the changing way in which most customers bank.
“The reality is that demand for banking services is moving online, and so banks must follow where there customers lead, and ultimately that doesn’t bode well for high street branches," he said.
"The closure of more high street branches and job losses is part and parcel of the technological revolution that is affecting many industries.”
Who has closed the most branches?
Bank branches are closing at a rapid rate, with half disappearing over the past 20 years alone.
Why is it happening? Read our investigation: HSBC, Lloyds, RBS, Santander: which has closed the most branches?
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