Santander, a leading high street bank, has recently disclosed plans to close 44 branches, potentially resulting in more than 290 job cuts. The decision to downsize has been attributed to a growing trend among customers towards online banking services. Despite some competitors pausing branch closures, Santander is proceeding with these proposals.
In contrast, HSBC has announced a halt on further branch closures in the UK for the current year after significant reductions in the past. Nationwide building society has made a firm commitment to retain all branches until at least 2030.
Santander, a Spanish-owned bank, emphasized that the branch closures are part of a strategic shift towards digital services, with 96% of transactions now being conducted online. This move follows the closure of 95 branches last March, impacting 750 employees.
Meanwhile, UK retailer GAME is facing the possibility of collapsing for the second time. The company has sought legal protection by filing a notice of intention to appoint administrators through a law firm. If GAME were to collapse, it would mark the second time, following the closure of 277 stores and over 2,000 job losses in 2012.
Additionally, budget airline easyJet has reported record summer bookings, with a notable increase in sales for peak season flights. The company’s losses for the three months ending December 31 rose by 52%, primarily due to setting up new bases in Italy. Discussions are underway with Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite firm regarding potential Wi-Fi installations on easyJet aircraft.
Lastly, millions of households are set to face another round of water bill increases from April, with average rises of 5.4% across England and Wales. The hike is part of a consistent upward trend in water bills to fund much-needed infrastructure investments, despite criticism of high dividend payouts and executive pay in the water industry.
The British car manufacturing sector has experienced a significant decline, with only 717,371 cars produced in 2025, marking a 70-year low. Factors contributing to this 8% year-on-year decrease include import tariffs imposed by President Trump and a cyber attack on Jaguar Land Rover.
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