Lloyds Bank customers are no longer able to deposit checks at Post Office locations due to recent changes. This adjustment also impacts Halifax and Bank of Scotland, both of which are part of Lloyds Banking Group. However, customers can still withdraw and deposit cash at Post Office branches.
These banking institutions, serving a combined total of approximately 28 million customers, reportedly eliminated the option to deposit checks last month, despite announcing further bank branch closures. Lloyds Banking Group has confirmed the closure of 95 additional bank branches between May 2021 and March 2027, comprising 53 Lloyds, 31 Halifax, and 11 Bank of Scotland sites.
Over the past ten years, Lloyds Banking Group has shut down 1,470 sites, according to consumer group Which?. To ensure continued access to cash nationwide, the cash access network Link has identified 14 new locations to establish banking hubs.
Banking hubs are collaborative spaces staffed by personnel from various banks on different days, providing services such as cash withdrawals, deposits, and bill payments. A spokesperson from Lloyds stated that most customers now opt to use the bank’s app for check deposits by simply taking a photo on their mobile device.
The spokesperson added that very few customers had been utilizing the Post Office for check deposits. To accommodate those in need of a different option, a new freepost check service has been introduced. Lloyds did not specify the number of staff members affected by the closures but assured that all branch employees would be offered roles at other sites or within different business divisions.
As part of its ongoing closure process, Lloyds is set to shut down 49 more sites by October, following the announcement of 136 closures about a year ago. Once the previously announced closures are finalized, Lloyds will have 610 branches remaining. A Lloyds spokeswoman emphasized the importance of providing customers with diverse banking options to suit their preferences and needs.