Lloyds Bank Cheque Deposit cut at Post Office as group pushes ahead with 95 more branch closures
The lloyds bank cheque deposit option has been withdrawn from Post Office counters, a change that affects customers of Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland and matters because it coincides with a fresh programme of branch closures across the group. The move, which was implemented last month, comes as the banking group serves roughly 28 million customers.
Lloyds Bank Cheque Deposit removed from Post Office counters
The ability for customers of Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to deposit cheques at Post Office branches was ended last month. Customers will still be able to withdraw and deposit cash at Post Office branches and at banking hubs, but the cheque counter service has gone. A Lloyds spokesperson said: "Most customers use our app as the easiest way to pay in a cheque, by taking a photo on their phone and letting us take care of the rest. Very few customers were choosing to deposit cheques at the Post Office and we’ve introduced a new freepost cheque service for those that need it. " A separate spokesman also said customers could use the bank's mobile app to scan cheques, noting "very few people choose to deposit cheques at the Post Office".
Planned closures: 95 more branches and earlier rounds of cuts
The banking group confirmed 95 further branch closures that will take place between May this year and March 2027, including 53 Lloyds branches, 31 Halifax sites and 11 Bank of Scotland locations. That programme sits alongside a separate wave that will see 49 sites shut down by October and follows 136 closures announced around a year ago. The group will have 610 branches remaining once all previously announced closures are complete. The bank did not specify how many members of staff will be affected, but said all those who work at the branches will be offered a role at another site or in another part of the business.
Banking hubs, Link and efforts to protect cash access
Cash access network Link said 14 new locations will receive a banking hub to help protect access to cash across the country. Banking hubs are described as shared spaces operated by staff from different banks on different days, offering services including withdrawing and depositing cash and paying bills. The Post Office and banking hubs will continue to handle cash withdrawals and deposits even after the cheque counter change.
Campaigners, councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin and small-business warnings
The simultaneous removal of Post Office cheque deposits and the reduction in branch numbers has drawn criticism from campaigners who warn it leaves customers with fewer options for basic banking. Devon councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin said: "People are feeling really anxious as a lot of them are not able to use technology. They're travelling very long distances to find a branch. " She added: "Decisions are often made by people living in urban areas they don't realise the impact on rural communities. We haven't even got public transport in many areas. This will hit vulnerable people the hardest. " Personal finance expert Andrew Haggar of MoneyComms warned small businesses that receive cheques will face impractical journeys to deposit them: "It's a double whammy for customers, with all the [branch] closures. For a small business, this is just not practical. When closing down branches, safety nets should be in place. " Coverage also noted that the Post Office has seen a year-on-year surge in cash withdrawals.
Context: decade of closures, customer options and wider coverage
Consumer group Which? has calculated that the banking group has closed 1, 470 sites over the past ten years. The group said it is offering alternatives such as apps, a new freepost cheque service and local options including community bankers and PayPoint. A spokeswoman for Lloyds said: "Customers want the freedom to bank in the way that works for them and we offer more choice and ways to manage money than ever before. From our leading apps and 24/7 messaging service to local banking options like our community bankers, PayPoint and access to all of our Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland branches, we’re giving our customers the flexibility to bank wherever and whenever they need us. "
Separately, one news headline alongside coverage of the changes carried an unrelated claim that the PM's EU plan would "cost taxpayers £15bn" and was branded "act of self-harm". The reporting pages also included reader engagement prompts such as a money-focused WhatsApp group and a money newsletter sign-up, plus a notice that a privacy policy is available, and an image credited to Getty ran with one report.
