Now Lloyds plans to shut another 49 branches

LLOYDS is to close nearly 50 more branches.

The bank closures will hit many towns and villages – meaning small businesses and vulnerable customers could be forced to travel miles for financial services. Trade union Unite said the move will cost 99 staff their jobs.

Lloyds is shutting 32 of its own branches, six operated by subsidiary Halifax, and 11 by Bank of Scotland.

The bank axed 100 branches six months ago as a wave of closures swept Britain, with big lenders saying they no longer made enough to keep outlets open.

But last year Lloyds’ profits doubled to £4.2bn in its best results for a decade. Chief executive Antonio Horta-Osorio was paid £5.5m.

A Lloyds spokesman said: ‘Customers are increasingly choosing to use digital channels for their banking needs. In response, we have confirmed the locations of branches which will close.’ ÷ Yorkshire Building Society is shutting 13 branches and its offices in Cheltenham, with the loss of up to 250 jobs.