Midland Bank began life as the Birmingham and Midland Bank in 1836 and grew rapidly, becoming Midland Bank in 1923. Between the end of the First World War and the 1940 it was reportedly the biggest bank in the world. It was bought in 1992 by the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) in what was then one of the largest deals in banking history and was renamed HSBC Bank in 1999.placeholder image
Midland Bank began life as the Birmingham and Midland Bank in 1836 and grew rapidly, becoming Midland Bank in 1923. Between the end of the First World War and the 1940 it was reportedly the biggest bank in the world. It was bought in 1992 by the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) in what was then one of the largest deals in banking history and was renamed HSBC Bank in 1999. | Picture Sheffield

9 famous banks we've lost over the years - as Santander closes branches and Lloyds announces jobs overhaul

Robert Cumber
By Robert Cumber

Property and retro writer

Published 25th Mar 2025, 09:41 GMT

As two major banks announce branch closures and job reviews, we’re taking a look back at the big banks we’ve lost over the years.

Santander earlier this month announced plans to shut another 95 branches across the UK, putting 750 jobs at risk.

Lloyds, meanwhile, has launched a major overhaul of its IT division, impacting around 6,000 employees, as it shifts to a digital-focused model.

The latest developments continue the trend of widespread branch closures as the move to online banking accelerates.

With many big banks disappearing from our local high streets, we’re looking back at some of the major banks we’ve lost over the years.

Some collapsed spectacularly while others were swallowed up by other banks or merged to form new banks.

How many of these lost banks do you remember, and did you bank with any of them?

The Woolwich Building Society, better known as The Woolwich, was formed in 1847. It expanded rapidly from the 1960s and by the late 1990s had nearly 170 branches across the country. It demutualised in 1997 and was acquired by Barclays three years later.

7. The Woolwich

The Woolwich Building Society, better known as The Woolwich, was formed in 1847. It expanded rapidly from the 1960s and by the late 1990s had nearly 170 branches across the country. It demutualised in 1997 and was acquired by Barclays three years later. | Julie Bull/TSPL Photo: Julie Bull/TSPL

Photo Sales
Cheltenham & Gloucester's roots stretched back to 1850, when the Cheltenham & Gloucestershire Permanent Mutual Benefit Building and Investment Association was formed. It gradually expanded and became one of the country's top 10 building societies, with its then-groundbreaking Gold high interest account playing a part in its success. It demutualised in 1995 and became a part of Lloyds Banking Group, specialising in mortgages and savings accounts. In 2009, all Cheltenham & Gloucester branches were either closed or transferred to the newly estalblished TSB Bank.

8. Cheltenham & Gloucester

Cheltenham & Gloucester's roots stretched back to 1850, when the Cheltenham & Gloucestershire Permanent Mutual Benefit Building and Investment Association was formed. It gradually expanded and became one of the country's top 10 building societies, with its then-groundbreaking Gold high interest account playing a part in its success. It demutualised in 1995 and became a part of Lloyds Banking Group, specialising in mortgages and savings accounts. In 2009, all Cheltenham & Gloucester branches were either closed or transferred to the newly estalblished TSB Bank. | Yorkshire Post Photo: Chris Lawton

Photo Sales
York County Savings Bank was founded in July 1816 and after a slow start grew rapidly in the first half of the 20th century. By 1947, it had more than 50 branches and was reportedly the third largest savings bank in England, and the sixth largest in the UK. In 1975, it merged into the Trustee Savings Bank of Yorkshire and Lincoln. The York County Savings Bank building pictured at St Helen's Square, York, dates back to 1829/30 and was until relatively recently a Lloyds TSB branch before being converted into a shop and then a hotel.

9. York County Savings Bank

York County Savings Bank was founded in July 1816 and after a slow start grew rapidly in the first half of the 20th century. By 1947, it had more than 50 branches and was reportedly the third largest savings bank in England, and the sixth largest in the UK. In 1975, it merged into the Trustee Savings Bank of Yorkshire and Lincoln. The York County Savings Bank building pictured at St Helen's Square, York, dates back to 1829/30 and was until relatively recently a Lloyds TSB branch before being converted into a shop and then a hotel. | Google Photo: Google

Photo Sales
Previous
2 / 2
Next Page
Related topics:NostalgiaMemoriesPhoto memoriesSantanderLloydsBoost
Celebrating 135 years of telling Leeds' stories
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice