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Lloyds closing all C&G branches Lloyds closing all C&G branches
(20 minutes later)
Lloyds Banking Group is to close all 160 branches of Cheltenham and Gloucester, with up to 1,500 jobs lost. Lloyds Banking Group is to close all 164 branches of Cheltenham & Gloucester, risking up to 1,500 jobs.
However, the C&G brand will be kept for mortgages and savings, BBC business editor Robert Peston says.However, the C&G brand will be kept for mortgages and savings, BBC business editor Robert Peston says.
Lloyds would not comment, saying that its policy was to brief staff first on any changes.Lloyds would not comment, saying that its policy was to brief staff first on any changes.
Almost 3,000 jobs have been cut since Lloyds' merger with Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS). Bad debts at HBOS mean the group is set for an annual loss. Almost 3,000 jobs have already been cut since Lloyds' merger with Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS). Bad debts at HBOS mean the group faces an annual loss.
Union officials have complained about "death by a thousand cuts", urging the bank to "come clean" about the scale of the restructuring programme.Union officials have complained about "death by a thousand cuts", urging the bank to "come clean" about the scale of the restructuring programme.
A spokesman Lloyds spokesman said that Cheltenham & Gloucester was an important brand to the group and "would continue to be so". A Lloyds spokesman said that C&G was an important brand to the group and "would continue to be so".
It's not an insignificant change for the UK High Street. Some of the most famous names in retail banking are disappearing Robert Peston, BBC business editor
Mortgage impact
The loss of C&G branches follows an announcement from Santander last week that it is to rebrand Abbey, Bradford & Bingley and Alliance & Leicester.
"It's not an insignificant change for the UK High Street. Some of the most famous names in retail banking are disappearing" said our business editor.
He added that the announcement was "profoundly bad news" for many employees of Lloyds, saying that the group's financial predicament meant it was "unlikely" that there would not be further significant job cuts.
Those with a C&G mortgage will continue to have their home loan under that brand - with new customers still being taken on via mortgage brokers.
C&G has been a significant player in the UK mortgage market, offering some of the lowest standard variable rates, said BBC personal finance reporter Kevin Peachey.


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