Santander closing over a fifth of branches in move putting 750 jobs at risk

Reports first emerged last month that it was considering quitting the UK, with the British arm seen on a weaker footing than in other locations in Europe and a potential crisis facing the motor finance sector also looming over the UK bank. - (PA Archive)

Santander is closing more than a fifth of its high street branches under a major overhaul of its network in the UK, in a move that puts around 750 jobs under threat.

The Spanish-owned banking giant said it was shutting 95 of its 444 branches across Britain from June, while also cutting hours across 36 sites and switching 18 to be counter-free to “better serve the changing needs” of its customers.