Exact date major bank will merge into Santander after 215 years on high street

Detailed summary

The move, which hasn't been confirmed by Santander, would mark the departure of TSB brand from the UK high street after around 215 years. A Santander spokesperson told Retail…

Santander UK has confirmed the date it will merge with a rival bank after taking it over earlier this year. Santander UK announced it had completed its acquisition of TSB on April 30, 2026, in a £2.65billion deal. But the operations of the two high street banks remain separate as both parties await High Court approval for TSB to be absorbed. TSB said if approved Santander UK "would become the legal provider of your TSB accounts, products and banking services".

TSB has a page on its website showing the progression of the process, explaining that the bank is planning to transfer its banking business to Santander UK plc, and "the High Court needs to approve the proposed transfer". It explains that the banks are currently in the approval process. The High Court hearing and decision is scheduled for February 15, 2027.

If approved, the transfer would take effect from March 22, 2027, both banks note on their websites. TSB says a gradual move to Santander UK systems would take place later next year. TSB says how customers bank with them "would largely stay the same" if the banks are allowed to combine, "but there will be some changes".

This includes changes to contractual rights, data privacy, the protection of your funds under the FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme), and the fact that Santander UK would become the manager of any ISAs currently held with TSB.

TSB says if changes affect customers they will "always give you plenty of notice, explain them clearly and provide additional support for customers who need it".

TSB urges customers to be wary of fraud amid the changes, saying that it will never:

You can find out more about what the changes mean for you if the companies combine on the TSB website.

The Financial Times reported that according to people familiar with the matter, Santander is preparing to drop the TSB brand, with the combined entity run as the Santander UK, once the companies have been merged.

The move, which hasn't been confirmed by Santander, would…

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