Santander plans to axe a fifth of its UK branch network
Madrid-based bank closes 140 branches across the country
London — Santander announced plans on Wednesday to shut almost a fifth of its branch network in Britain, expected to result in about 840 job losses. The Madrid-based bank’s UK business said it will close 140 branches across the country, leaving it with 614. The closure programme will lead to about 840 redundancies, with the bank expecting to be able to redeploy only a third of the 1,270 staff affected. Santander said it has consulted with trade unions on the proposed changes and will try to find alternative roles for staff where possible. Santander’s action marks the latest round of major branch closures by British high street banks. Britain has lost nearly two-thirds of its bank and building society branches over the past 30 years, according to research by consumer campaign group Which? published in November. The number of branches at that time stood at 7,586, down from 20,583 in 1988. Santander said it is making the changes in response to the rapid uptake of digital banking. It sa...
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