HSBC UK has pledged to keep all 327 of its remaining branches open until at least 2027, extending its so‑called “branch promise” in a move that runs counter to the wider trend of high street bank closures. The bank has also confirmed a significant uplift in investment in its physical network, committing £55.8m to refurbish and modernise branches in 2026, up from £42m in 2025.
The new commitment builds on earlier promises not to announce any fresh branch closures until the end of this year, following a decade in which HSBC has shut hundreds of outlets as more customers moved to digital and mobile banking. Consumer groups have repeatedly raised concerns about the impact of industry‑wide closures on older and vulnerable customers, as well as those in rural and less well‑served communities who still rely on face‑to‑face services and access to cash.
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HSBC said usage of its network remains robust, with around 825,000 customers visiting branches each month and more than two million transactions carried out via self‑service machines. The bank plans to use the extra capital to upgrade sites across the UK, including full refurbishments, technology updates and the creation of specialist Premier and Wealth centres in selected locations.
Senior executives framed the decision as a signal of long‑term support for local high streets, stressing that physical branches continue to play a crucial role alongside digital channels for more complex needs and “moments that matter” for customers. The move comes shortly after Nationwide Building Society pledged to keep its combined network of 696 Nationwide and Virgin Money branches open until at least 2030, underlining how a small number of major players are now positioning branch retention as a competitive point of difference.
However, campaigners have also highlighted HSBC’s record of branch rationalisation, noting that while the latest promise will be welcomed by communities that feared further cuts, the bank has already closed more than 700 sites over the past decade. With thousands of branches removed from the UK high street since 2015, attention is likely to focus on whether other banks will match HSBC and Nationwide’s pledges or continue to rely more heavily on banking hubs and the Post Office network to maintain over‑the‑counter access to cash.
