Branch closures are becoming more common in recent years with more people choosing to bank online rather than in person, with 'changing customer behaviours' often citing as a key reason by the banks. Barclays announced earlier this week that 14 of its branches across England and Wales will be shut, too. READ MORE: What's been announced about pensions today and how it affects you Lloyds Banking Group, which owns Halifax as well as Lloyds, had already announcing 40 closures back in January.