Halifax, a fixture on UK high streets for 173 years, is undergoing a rebranding process to become Lloyds. The transition will involve renaming Halifax branches and customer accounts to Lloyds, with existing account numbers and sort codes remaining unchanged. Customers will need to utilize the Lloyds app for online banking in the near future.
Lloyds Banking Group has announced that the rebranding of Halifax branches to Lloyds will be completed by 2027. Despite the change in branding, current plans to close several Halifax outlets remain unaffected. The banking group has disclosed an additional 79 branch closures on top of the previously planned 95 closures across all three brands, resulting in a total of 531 branches in the UK. Job security is assured during this rebranding process.
The origins of Halifax trace back to its establishment in 1853 as the Halifax Permanent Benefit Building Society, catering to the financial needs of working individuals. Over the years, it transformed into the Halifax Building Society and later merged with Bank of Scotland to form HBOS. Following the financial crisis, Lloyds Banking Group rescued HBOS with government support.
Lloyds emphasized its commitment to Halifax and the wider Yorkshire region, highlighting recent investments in its Halifax office. While the rebranding decision has generated controversy, Lloyds has assured customers that their Financial Services Compensation Scheme protection will remain intact. Accounts held with Halifax will remain separate from new Lloyds accounts.
Customers across all brands have been able to access services at both Halifax and Lloyds branches since early 2025. Jas Singh, CEO of Consumer Relationships at Lloyds Banking Group, reassured Halifax customers that they will retain familiar features while gaining access to new innovations and experiences as part of Lloyds. The transition aims to enhance customer banking experiences across both brands.