Lloyds Bank said it is cutting down the size of several of its branches. It said these branches would now be called ‘micro branches’ and these will be manned by just two people, who will help customers to use machines, including pay-in devices. Some of those being converted will be Halifax and Bank of Scotland branches. The decision to cut down the size of the branches has been on account of a profound change in customer behavior, which has seen more transactions move online, the bank said. It has already announced plans to close 400 of its branches around the UK, with 9,000 job losses. The micro format, modelled on an existing branch in Paternoster Square in the City of London, will use as little as 1000 square feet of space. There will be no counters in the new micro branches. Instead the staff will be mobile, and will carry tablet computers to help customers. By the end of this year Lloyds will be left with about 1950 branches around the UK.
