A major bank has confirmed the last date customers can access online as a 173-year-old brand prepares to leave Britain’s high streets for good.
Halifax customers now have a firm deadline for the closure of the bank’s mobile app, with the process set to begin on October 5 and the application shutting down permanently on October 31.
The announcement comes as Lloyds Banking Group moves ahead with plans to absorb the 173-year-old Halifax brand under its own name.
Customers were informed via email that they will need to migrate to the Lloyds app in order to retain access to their online banking services.
Halifax customers will not be able to access their online banking app in the near future
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GETTYThe email sent to customers outlined the timeline clearly, stating: “Just a quick reminder that from October 5, as part of the Halifax brand changing to Lloyds, we’ll start to close the Halifax app.”
It went on to reassure account holders that the switch should be straightforward, promising that the move could be completed in a handful of simple steps.
Crucially, the bank confirmed that existing account details, scheduled payments, and any correspondence previously sent to customers’ digital inboxes would all carry over automatically to the Lloyds platform, meaning nothing should be lost during the transition.
Lloyds has sought to ease concerns about the changeover, assuring customers that its app should feel familiar and that the migration process requires only a few clicks to complete.
Lloyds Bank apps have been hit by glitches in recent months | PA
Lloyds Banking Group consists of Lloyds Bank, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland | GETTY
However, Halifax has issued a clear warning that once the app is permanently shut down at the end of October, account holders will no longer be able to access their accounts through it.
The bank stressed that customers “won’t be able to access your accounts from there at that point,” making it essential to complete the switch before the deadline passes.
Lloyds Banking Group has expressed confidence that bringing Halifax under its umbrella will deliver tangible advantages for customers in the longer term.
Senior figures at the bank argue that unifying operations across England, Wales and Northern Ireland will allow the group to eliminate redundant IT infrastructure and redirect spending towards improvements that customers will notice.
Among the planned benefits, Lloyds intends to channel resources into upgrading its digital technology, offering more competitive savings rates, and broadening its Club Lloyds loyalty programme.
Jas Singh, CEO of Consumer Relations at Lloyds 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 our branches, even the same sort code and account number.
“But as Lloyds customers, they’ll get the best innovation and experiences we offer.
“Our Lloyds customers are already benefiting from a significant investment into propositions like Club Lloyds, Lloyds Premier, Lloyds Ultra and Lloyds Rewards, and now we’re really excited that Halifax customers can bank on Lloyds for more.”