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.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.
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 BST

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 National Provincial Bank was created in 1833 and following a series of takeovers became one of the UK's 'big five' banking brands which dominated the sctore for much of the 20th century, along with Barclays, Lloyds, Midland Bank and Westminster Bank. In 1970, it merged with Westminster Bank to form National Westminster Bank, now known as NatWest. This photo from 1967 shows the National Provincial Bank branch on George Street, Sheffield.

5. National Provincial Bank

The National Provincial Bank was created in 1833 and following a series of takeovers became one of the UK's 'big five' banking brands which dominated the sctore for much of the 20th century, along with Barclays, Lloyds, Midland Bank and Westminster Bank. In 1970, it merged with Westminster Bank to form National Westminster Bank, now known as NatWest. This photo from 1967 shows the National Provincial Bank branch on George Street, Sheffield. | Sheffield Newspapers Photo: Sheffield Newspapers

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The other half of what is today NatWest was the Westminster Bank, created in 1834. The announcement in 1968 of its merger with the National Provincial Bank, completed in 1970, caused great shock given the size of the two banks.

6. Westminster Bank

The other half of what is today NatWest was the Westminster Bank, created in 1834. The announcement in 1968 of its merger with the National Provincial Bank, completed in 1970, caused great shock given the size of the two banks. | Picture Sheffield Photo: Picture Sheffield

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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

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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

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