Dozens more local bank branches set to close across France

Local bank branches continue to disappear across France, with LCL being the latest to announce a new wave of closures, with up to 90 branches set to be reduced by its network.

The bank, formerly known as Crédit Lyonnais and now part of the Crédit Agricole group, confirmed to The Connexion that it is planning to close between 60 and 90 of its roughly 1,400 branches. 

LCL has already closed nearly 250 branches over the past five years.

The latest closures are expected to affect the Paris region, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes area and Mediterranean areas first.

LCL has not yet said exactly which branches will close or when.

Why is LCL closing branches?

The bank said that the closures are “in line with the plan initiated in 2021”.

“These are very targeted adjustments to our network, taking into account demographic and economic changes and locally observed uses (of physical branches),” the bank said.

However, the closures will happen gradually, prioritising the most obvious cases in order to maintain “close relationships and support for its clients”.

A specific timeline has not been given. 

Other banks are also cutting branches

LCL is not the only bank reducing its physical presence.

The CGT union said Société Générale would close 101 branches in France in 2026, according to Reuters, while it has already closed around 600 branches following the merger of its two French retail networks.

BNP Paribas is also planning to reduce its physical network. The bank said it would close around 500 of its branches by 2030.

This latest trend is being driven by changing customer habits, with more banking services now carried out through websites and mobile applications rather than in branches.

“The Covid-19 period has significantly accelerated the digitalisation of practices,” Gaëlle Regnard, CEO of Crédit Agricole Loire et Haute-Loire, told Le Monde. “Our customers visit branches on average less than twice a year and prefer contactless payment to cash.”

The rise of online banks and neobanks such as Revolut is also increasing pressure on traditional banks to reduce their physical networks and develop digital services.

What to do if your local bank closes

When a branch closes, you can check the information sent by your bank to find out where you can continue to access in-person services. LCL for example, said that when a branch closes customers are supported and accompanied throughout the process. 

If your local bank branch closes and there is no ATM nearby, you may still be able to withdraw cash from another bank's ATM. These withdrawals can sometimes have a fee, although many French banks allow a limited number of withdrawals from other banks' ATMs each month. 

Some shops also offer cashback, allowing customers to withdraw up to €60 when making a purchase of at least €1. Be warned, not all shops offer this service. 

Finally, customers can manage much of their banking without visiting a branch. 

Most major French banks now offer a mobile banking app alongside online banking.

Online services can include checking account balances and transactions, making transfers, depositing cheques digitally, managing bank cards, changing card limits, downloading a RIB and making an appointment with a bank adviser.

It is also worth noting that online banks in France often offer more competitive rates than traditional banks when it comes to fees, typically charging little or nothing for maintaining an account, standard bank cards and routine operations.