Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Santander customers should prepare for a significant update from next month as the bank alters how it communicates with its clients regarding their accounts. The high street bank has revealed that customers will no longer receive text alerts concerning their account balances and transaction notifications starting from May 12. This change marks a drastic departure for many who are accustomed to the convenience of such updates from Santander. Aiming to encourage greater usage of its digital banking services, Santander is steering customers towards its online app, reports Birmingham Live. The bank clarified its position, stating: "If you've registered for some alerts on a personal current account or savings account, from May 12, 2025, we'll stop sending them. We're doing this because you can get a more detailed view of your account activity with mobile or online banking." Presently, Santander's customers are accustomed to receiving routine text messages that provide them with weekly briefings on their accounts or alert them to important financial events. Options currently allow individuals to opt-in for these notifications based on preference. However, once the new policy is implemented, account holders will be expected to actively check their banking details either via the app or by visiting a branch in person. Yet, Santander reassures that essential communications will not cease altogether; urgent updates, particular those relating to potential charges – like nearing an overdraft limit – will still be sent through alerts. It comes after the bank revealed it would close at least 95 branches throughout 2025 - over one fifth of its entire network in the UK. This is the first wave of closures from Santander since it revealed plans to shut 111 branches in March 2021. It is believed the change will result in roughly 750 job redundancies. Before he change, Santander had 444 branches across the UK but this will be reduced to 290 full-service branches and five work cafes which operate as free co-working spaces. Furthermore, Santander confirmed it will remove the front desk in 18 of its remaining branches while a further 36 will have their hours reduced. It comes after the bank attributed the closures to a customer base shift towards online banking. It said that it saw a 63% increase in digital transactions since 2019 while branch transactions reduced by 61% in the same period. Customers affected by the closures still have the option to use a Santander community banker in their local community as well as banking hubs which are shared spaces on the high street. Furthermore, Santander customers can make use of their nearest Post Office to pay and withdraw cash as well as a few other banking services. A spokesperson for Santander UK previously said: “As customer behaviour changes, we are ensuring that our branches remain fit for the future. "Our new combination of full-service branches, alongside Work Cafés, counter-free branches and reduced hours branches, aims to provide the right balance between digital banking and face-to-face money management and guidance. As a business, we must move with customers and balance our investment across all the places where we interact with customers, to deliver the very best for them now and in the future. "Closing a branch is always a very difficult decision and we spend a great deal of time assessing where and when we do this and how to minimise the impact it may have on our customers. However, we believe that the introduction of our new Community Bankers and the exciting plans we have for our remaining network of 349 branches and Work Cafés, alongside the rapid and innovative improvements to our award-winning mobile banking app, will provide the right balance of digital banking and human interaction when required.”