In a move that may push even more customers to local mortgage brokers, Lloyds Banking Group has unveiled plans to shut down 136 additional branches across the UK as part of its ongoing efforts to cut costs and shift towards digital banking services. The closures, affecting Lloyds, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland locations, will take place between May this year and March 2026. The latest decision follows recent changes allowing customers to access banking services across any of the group's brands, rather than being restricted to their specific bank. Lloyds Banking Group attributed the closures to a decline in in-person transactions as more customers opt for online and mobile banking. A spokesperson for the bank explained, "Over 20 million customers are using our apps for on-demand access to their money and customers have more choice and flexibility than ever for their day-to-day banking."