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Bank customers across the North East are facing more uncertainty as Halifax confirms one of its branches in our region will shut in early 2026 - with fears the move could leave more communities cut off from face-to-face banking.

Halifax has announced that its Peterlee branch will close on March 3, 2026, as part of a nationwide shift towards digital banking. It is the only North East branch included in the latest list of 14 closures, but follows a wider trend that has already seen towns across County Durham , Tyneside and Teesside lose their local banks in recent years.

Residents in Peterlee say the decision will make life harder for older customers, people without access to online banking, and small businesses that still rely on cash s

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