Full story
Halifax brand phased out
Lloyds Banking Group has confirmed it is axing the Halifax bank brand after 173 years, with all customer accounts to be rebranded to Lloyds over time in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“The 173-year-old Halifax brand is being scrapped, and all customer accounts will be changed to Lloyds over time”
Lloyds said the overhaul will make Lloyds the group’s sole brand in those nations, while Halifax will stop opening new accounts as part of the phase-out.
Sky News reported that there will be no immediate changes for customers, and that account numbers, sort codes and FSCS protection will stay the same.
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 branches and even the same sort code and account number."
No branch closures planned
Lloyds Banking Group said Halifax branches will be rebranded to Lloyds or shifted to a nearby Lloyds base throughout 2027, and that none of the branches will be closed as part of the process.
Sky News said existing Halifax customers will start to use the Lloyds app in the "coming months" and will see their accounts rebranded to Lloyds "over time," with invitations to move across in the "coming weeks."
The BBC said there are no job cuts being announced as part of the shake-up, and that Halifax branches will either be rebranded to Lloyds or shifted to a nearby branch throughout 2027.
In Halifax’s home region, the BBC reported Lloyds said it remained committed to the town of Halifax and the wider Yorkshire and Humber region, where 3,000 staff are based at its Trinity Road office.
Local reaction and investment
The BBC reported that Halifax Labour MP Kate Dearden described the move as "bitterly disappointing" and said she had been in discussions with Lloyds to "ensure their commitment and continued investment in Halifax long into the future."
“Halifax Labour MP Kate Dearden described the move as "bitterly disappointing"”
Calderdale Council’s Reform leader Dan Sutherland told the BBC that Lloyds Banking Group's relationship with Halifax as a place would remain "strong and enduring," while he pointed to a recent £116m investment into a major transformation of the iconic head office building at Trinity Road.
The BBC also quoted a Lloyds statement saying: "While we welcome the commitment to keep branches open and protect customers' accounts, many residents will be saddened to see such an iconic name disappear from our high streets."
In the same coverage, Luddenfoot Labour councillor Scott Patient said he feared the move might be "more damaging to [Lloyds] than they realise," adding: "I feel with one hand they giveth, and with the other hand they taketh away."
