Lloyds Banking Group to close another 136 branches – business live

The bank says that the shift to digital banking has prompted further branch closes

Rachel Reeves has confirmed that the Labour government will back a third runway at London’s Heathrow airport.

If that sounds familiar, it is because it has been heavily trailed in the last week. And readers with longer memories might remember a succession of Labour and Conservative governments saying they would back it.

So I can confirm today that this government supports a third runway at Heathrow and is inviting proposals to be brought forward by the summer.

We will then take forward a full assessment through the airport National Policy Statement. This will ensure that the project is value for money, and our clear expectation is that any associated surface transport costs will be financed through private funding, and it will ensure that a third runway is delivered in line with our legal, environmental and climate objectives.

The unusual timing of the Qwen 2.5-Max’s release, on the first day of the Lunar New Year when most Chinese people are off work and with their families, points to the pressure Chinese AI startup DeepSeek’s meteoric rise in the past three weeks has placed on not just overseas rivals, but also its domestic competition.

Topics

Lloyds to close 136 branches as people shift to apps

The closures across its brands will be completed by March next year, as more customers go digital.
BBC News - 1d
Lloyds Bank to shut another 136 branches across UK

Sites will close by March 2026 with affected staff to be offered alternative roles
Financial Times - 1d
Outdoor learning group closes seven UK centres

Seven activity centres run by Kingswood close with immediate effect as it calls in administrators.
BBC News - Jan. 18
US earnings latest: JPMorgan and BNY set to close at peaks as banks rally

Shares rise in morning trading as Wall Street banks report bumper earnings
Financial Times - Jan. 15
Lloyds to cut 500 jobs and close two offices

UK bank to review more than 1,500 jobs across multiple departments
Financial Times - Jan. 15
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to share branches

The move is intended to make it easier for people to access banking services, but some warn it will lead to more branch closures.
BBC News - Jan. 9
Lloyds Banking Group’s branch shake-up fuels concern over closures and job cuts

Company’s customers across Halifax, Bank of Scotland and flagship brand to be allowed to use others’ premises
Financial Times - Jan. 8
Israeli airstrike targets armed group in West Bank

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Exodus by Wall Street Banks From Climate Group Worries Advocates

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