Santander and NatWest are set to shut 17 branches this week, in another blow to the high street.
A Santander spokesperson said they are making changes to their branches to “better support customers” in response to a “continuing and sizeable shift” towards customers using digital banking. A spokesman added: “We will continue to invest in both our branch network – comprising full-service branches, counter-free branches, reduced-hour branches, Santander Locals, and our increasingly popular Work Cafés – as well as our digital banking services, so we can be there to support our customers however they choose to bank with us.”
NatWest said it would continue to provide support to communities affected by the closure, explaining “there is more demand for mobile and online services”.
It follows Santander’s April 30, 2026, announcement that it had completed its acquisition of TSB. The all-cash transaction, valued at £2.65 billion, will contribute to Santander UK’s target to increase its return on tangible equity to 16% by 2028, with estimated cost synergies of at least £400 million.
The deal means Santander UK is now the third-largest bank in the UK by personal current account balances and the fourth-largest by mortgages.
There is no immediate change for either Santander UK or TSB customers, and they can continue to use their products, accounts and cards in the same way.
Combined, the two banks serve nearly 28 million retail and business customers nationwide, and the deal allows Santander UK to better support these customers through increased investment in innovative products, its digital offering, and new and improved branch formats across the UK.
