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PAYING THE PRICE
The move comes after a string of high street branch closures
- Summer Raemason
- Summer Raemason
THOUSANDS of customers are set to be hit by a major change and said 'it's betrayal' as Lloyds Bank strips away a crucial service.
Loyal members of the banking group were devastated after learning a helpful scheme is set to be slashed in May this year.
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With a string of high street branch closures, Lloyds had introduced mobile vans that provided services for those in rural areas.
Customers could withdraw and deposit money, as well as have one-to-one chats with bank employees.
The praised vans were welcomed in 170 communities and helped 6,500 struggling people across the UK.
Natwest and Barclays hail similar fleets of mobile banking vans for fortnightly services across England and Wales.
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Now, Lloyds Bank has confirmed they will be scrapping the service in May - and informed customers they should switch over to online banking.
Concerned client Richard Moore, 77, told the MailOnline he was "speechless" to hear the news.
"When the bank was shut down in the town, Lloyds said it will be fine because of this mobile van," he explained.
The pensioner branded the move "scandalous" and a "real slap in the face" to those who can't access the internet.
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"It is betrayal by Lloyds Bank who said they would not desert us – but they have," he added.
Meanwhile, head of policy at the charity Age UK Christopher Brooks, claimed the decision could isolate older community members even more.
And, Richard Foord, a Lib Dem MP in Devon, slammed the bank, calling it "disgraceful" for disadvantaging the more vulnerable sectors of society.
Liberal Democrat councillor Brian Larcombe agreed the news was "disappointing" and there are customers who "rely" on the service.
To compensate for the removal of mobile vans, Lloyds Bank claimed it will provide 'community bankers' to 39 areas.
A spokesman for Lloyds Bank said: "Customers have used our mobile branches much less over time and some locations now have as little as two customers using the service.
"We will be introducing more community bankers, alongside the other options customers already have for their banking including the Post Office, online, our mobile apps, phone banking, video services and web chat."
It comes as a total of 189 bank branches are set to close their doors next year.
Barclaysis shutting 34 branches whileLloydsis closing 60 and theBank of Scotland(BoS) will be shuttering 16, according to LINK which keeps track of any planned branch closures across the UK.
Meanwhile,47Halifaxbranches will close andNatWestwill shut 21.
Royal Bank of Scotland(RBS) andUlster Bankwill also be closing up shop in one and 10 locations respectively.
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The high streets are being hit with closures due to an increase in online banking to manage finances - while banks and building societies look for ways to cut costs.
The Sun contacted Lloyds Banking Group for comment.
Lloyds Bank branches closing in 2024
Here is the new list of Lloyds branches shutting:
- 22 Grover Walk, Corringham, England, SS17 7LY - 15/01/2024
- 26 Bridge Street, Downham Market, England, PE38 9DH - 25/03/2024
- 102-104 Market Street, Shirebrook, England, NG20 8AD - 25/03/2024
- 39 High Street Sidmouth, England, EX10 8LQ - 26/03/2024
- 49 John Street Porthcawl, Wales, CF36 3AS - 27/03/2024
- 185 Queen Street, Withernsea, England, HU19 2JR - 27/03/2024
- 27 Fore Street Wellington, England, TA21 8AF - 25/03/2024
- 35 Bradford Road, Brighouse, England, HD6 1RW - 28/05/2024
- 2-4 High Street, March, England, PE15 9JE - 28/05/2024
- 38 Chapel Lane, Formby, England, L37 4DR - 28/05/2024
- 18 Market Place, North Walsham, England, NR28 9BP - 29/05/2024
- 21 Broad Street, Pershore, England, WR10 1BD - 28/05/2024
- 60 Sidcup High Street Sidcup, England, DA14 6EJ - 11/07/2024
- 612-614 Wolseley Road, Plymouth, England, PL5 1TE - 10/01/2024
- Union Street, Ulverston, England, LA12 7HR - 09/04/2024
- 71-73 High Street, Stone, England, ST15 8AG - 10/04/2024
- 67 Fore Street Saltash, England, PL12 6AJ - 10/04/2024
- 34 Station Road, West Drayton, England, UB7 7BZ - 11/04/2024
- 19-20 Wellington Street, Teignmouth, England, TQ14 8HW - 15/04/2024
- 99 Newland Street, Witham, England, CM8 1AQ - 10/07/2024
- 33 Dunraven Street, Tonypandy, Wales, CF40 1AL - 04/07/2024
- 30 High Street Crediton, England, EX17 3AH - 04/07/2024
- 75 Commercial Street Batley, England, WF17 5EQ - 24/06/2024
- 11-13 Devonshire Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, England, TN40 1AH - 16/09/2024
- Fore Street, Bodmin, England, PL31 2HP - 20/06/2024
- 36-38 Church Road, Burgess Hill, England, RH15 9AH - 17/09/2024
- 13-14 High Street, Cradley Heath, England, B64 5HP - 08/02/2024
- 11/12 The Shopping Village, Gateshead, England, NE11 0EN - 09/01/2024
- Market Street, Hailsham, England, BN27 2AE - 19/09/2024
- 8 High Street, Haverhill, England, CB9 8BA - 25/06/2024
- 5/6 Market Place, Hertford, England, SG14 1DF - 17/09/2024
- 9 Boverton Road, Llantwit Major, Wales, CF61 1XZ - 08/02/2024
- 453 Wilmslow Road, Withington, England, M20 4AN - 08/01/2024
- Crown Glass Place, Nailsea, England, BS48 1RD - 01/02/2024
- High Street, Portishead, England, BS20 6BJ - 09/09/2024
- The Cross, Royston, England, SG8 7BL - 17/06/2024
- 3 King Street, Saffron Walden, England, CB10 1HF - 16/09/2024
- 1 Marlborough, Seaham, England, SR7 7SD - 19/06/2024
- 22 King Street, Stretford, England, M32 8AD - 12/03/2024
- 180 High Street, Uckfield, England, TN22 1AX - 18/09/2024
- 308-312 Chiswick High Road, London, England, W4 1NS - 19/02/2024
- 30 Market Place, Brackley, England, NN13 7BA - 26/03/2024
- 5-6 King Street, Penrith, England, CA11 7AP - 19/03/2024
- 5 Market Place, Selby, England, YO8 4NT - 03/04/2024
- 39 Chester Road West, Shotton, Wales, CH5 1BY - 13/03/2024
- 129-131 High Street, Rochester, England, ME2 4TW - 04/04/2024
- 73 High Street, Burnham-on-Sea, England, TA8 1NP - 13/11/2024
- 110-112 High Street, Putney, England, SW15 1RG - 04/04/2024
- 82-84 High Street, Ruislip, England, HA4 7AB - 13/03/2024
- 37 Market Place, Warminster, England, BA12 9BD - 14/11/2024
- 1 Walm Lane Willesden Green, England, NW2 5SN - 21/03/2024
- 257 Whitley Road, Whitley Bay, England, NE26 2SY - 13/11/2024
- 12 High Street Newtown, Wales, SY16 2NX - 03/04/2024
- 21 Victoria Square, Droitwich, England, WR9 8DG - 14/11/2024
- 3 Upper Brook Street, Rugeley, England, WS15 2DP - 14/11/2024
- 15-17 Pool Street, Caernarfon, Wales, LL55 2AD - 30/04/2024
- 300 Ashley Road, Poole, England, BH14 9DE - 13/11/2024
- 4 Market Square, Dover, England, CT16 1ND - 11/04/2024
- 3 Market Hill, Diss, England, IP22 4JZ - 20/03/2024
- 16 Main Street, Mexborough, England, S64 9DW - 22/04/2024
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Topics
- Lloyds Banking Group
- UK banking
- England
- London
- Wales
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Lloyds Bank's Service Changes
Lloyds Bank has announced significant changes to its services, including the discontinuation of mobile banking vans that provided essential services to rural communities in the UK. This decision has sparked concerns and criticisms from loyal customers and public figures, particularly regarding the impact on vulnerable and older community members.
Key Points:
- Lloyds Bank introduced mobile vans to provide banking services in rural areas, including cash transactions and one-to-one interactions with bank employees.
- The decision to scrap the mobile van service has been met with disappointment and criticism from customers, public figures, and organizations such as Age UK.
- Lloyds Bank plans to replace the mobile van service with 'community bankers' in 39 areas and emphasizes the availability of alternative banking options, such as online banking, mobile apps, phone banking, and the Post Office.
Impact on Community Members
The discontinuation of the mobile banking vans is expected to have a significant impact on rural and older community members who relied on these services. Concerns have been raised about the potential isolation of older individuals and the disadvantage faced by vulnerable sectors of society due to the removal of this crucial service.
Key Points:
- Christopher Brooks, head of policy at Age UK, expressed concerns about the decision potentially isolating older community members even more.
- Liberal Democrat MP Richard Foord and councillor Brian Larcombe criticized the move, highlighting the disappointment and reliance of certain customers on the service.
Branch Closures and Online Banking
Lloyds Bank's decision to close a significant number of branches is part of a broader trend in the banking industry, driven by the increasing shift towards online banking. The closure of 189 bank branches, including those of Lloyds Bank, Barclays, Bank of Scotland, Halifax, NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Ulster Bank, reflects the industry's efforts to manage costs and adapt to changing consumer behaviors.
Key Points:
- The closure of bank branches is attributed to the rise of online banking and the need for banks to cut costs.
- Lloyds Bank, along with other banks, is closing a substantial number of branches across various locations in England, Wales, and Scotland.
In summary, Lloyds Bank's decision to discontinue mobile banking vans and close numerous branches has raised concerns among customers and public figures, particularly regarding the impact on rural and older community members. The broader trend of branch closures reflects the banking industry's response to the increasing popularity of online banking and the need to manage costs.
