Lloyds Banking Group has announced that the Halifax brand will be phased out from UK high streets after more than 170 years. All customer accounts will eventually be transferred to Lloyds, the group confirmed.
What is changing for Halifax customers?
Jas Singh, Lloyds Banking Group’s chief executive of consumer relationships, said: ‘As Halifax changes to Lloyds, our Halifax customers will keep everything they know and love today – the same fantastic app design, the same friendly faces in our branches – even the same sort code and account number. But as Lloyds customers, they’ll get the best innovation and experiences we offer.’
New Halifax accounts can no longer be opened via the app or website as of July 1, 2026. Existing accounts will be migrated to Lloyds over time, with no immediate changes to sort codes or account numbers.
Branch closures and rebranding
The brand retirement follows earlier announcements of branch closures across the group, which includes Lloyds Bank, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland. Halifax branches will either be rebranded to Lloyds or relocated to a nearby Lloyds branch throughout 2027. No job cuts have been announced as part of the shake-up.
Lloyds said it remains committed to the town of Halifax and the wider Yorkshire and Humber region, where around 3,000 staff are based at its Trinity Road office.
Reason for the change
Earlier this month, Lloyds cited the shift to online banking as the primary reason for most branch closures, noting that customers increasingly prefer using mobile apps, websites, or phone banking.
History of Halifax
Halifax began as a building society in 1852, first listed on the stock market in 1997 as a bank. It merged with Bank of Scotland in 2001, becoming one of the most recognizable brands on the high street. The announcement ends its 173-year presence as a standalone brand.
