Santander to close 140 branches – but if you're affected here's where you can bank instead

The bank says the number of transactions carried out at its branches has fallen by 23% over the past three years, while transactions online and on mobile phones have soared by 99%.

Its decision puts more than 1,200 jobs at risk, but it hopes to find new roles for some of those affected. 

The bank will keep 614 branches open, but if yours is one of the 140 that are closing, you may be able to bank instead at one of the 11,000+ Post Office sites across the UK.

See our Best Bank Accounts guide for how to switch and bag incentives such as a free £150 if you're unhappy with your bank. 

You can do most of your banking at the post office

All major high street banks, including Santander, allow you to make many transactions in Post Office branches, so if your local Santander is closing and a Post Office branch is nearby, this may be useful to you.

If you can get to a post office, you can:

• Withdraw cash from your usual bank account using your card

• Pay cash into your usual bank account using a card or paying-in slip

• Check your bank balance using your card

• Deposit a cheque using a paying-in slip (though Nationwide customers can't do this)

You'll usually be able to use the services above exactly as if you were at your bank. However, when paying in a cheque, note that the money will typically take a day longer to arrive in your account than it would if deposited at a bank branch.

You also won't be able to access other services usually offered in bank branches. These include:

• Opening new products

• Setting up standing orders 

• Reporting a lost or stolen card 

• Getting personalised advice

If you need to use these services and can't access your Santander branch, check its online or telephone services.  

See our Little-known ways to bank at the post office blog for more information. 

Which branches are closing?

Santander is closing branches across the UK, from Acton and Antrim to Tonypandy and Troon.

To see those branches that are being closed, visit the Santander website, where the bank also explains its decision.

What does Santander say? 

Susan Allen, head of retail and business banking at Santander, said: "The way our customers are choosing to bank with us has changed dramatically in recent years, with more and more customers using online and mobile channels.

"As a result, we have had to take some very difficult decisions over our less-visited branches, and those where we have other branches in close proximity."