Halifax brand to be scrapped after 173 years
BBC News 2026-07-01 20:09:05
Context: The Halifax brand, founded in West Yorkshire in 1853, is being scrapped after 173 years, with all customer accounts to be rebranded to Lloyds. Lloyds Banking Group, which has owned Halifax since 2009, confirmed the move, citing efforts to simplify its portfolio. The decision has sparked mixed reactions from local politicians and residents, who acknowledge the brand's significance to the town's heritage.
Key Facts
- The Halifax Permanent Benefit Building Society was founded in West Yorkshire in 1853, granting its first mortgage, £121 to Esau Hanson, the same year.
- By 1928, the Halifax Building Society had grown to become the largest building society in the world, with assets of £47m.
- Lloyds Banking Group's chief executive of consumer relationships, Jas Singh, stated that Halifax customers would experience little change, retaining the same app design, branch staff, sort code, and account number.
- A total of 3,000 staff are based at Lloyds' Trinity Road office in Halifax, with no job cuts announced as part of the rebranding process, which will be completed throughout 2027.
- Calderdale Council's Reform leader, Dan Sutherland, expressed reassurance that Lloyds Banking Group's relationship with Halifax would remain "strong and enduring," citing a recent £116m investment in the transformation of the Trinity Road head office building.