French banks to double branch closures in coming years

French banks are poised to accelerate branch closures in the coming years, with a significant portion of their networks expected to shut down by the end of 2026. CCF, formerly HSBC France, plans to close between 72 and 84 of its approximately 235 to 238 branches.

Industry experts predict that at least 15% to 20% of bank branches nationwide will cease operations within the next three years. This intensified closure movement mirrors the pace of consolidation seen over the past decade, but compressed into a much shorter timeframe. The shift is largely attributed to the growing preference for digital banking channels, including online platforms and mobile applications, which are increasingly becoming the primary mode of customer interaction.

Mathieu Gosselin, an associate at Bartle, noted the current density of bank branches in Paris, suggesting a significant reduction is inevitable. "There are still practically as many bank branches as bakeries in Paris," he observed. "This is going to change. In two or three years, there will be many more bakeries than banks."

While France currently has a relatively high number of bank branches compared to other European countries, with 35,700 outlets anticipated by the end of 2025, representing one-third of the Eurozone's total, this landscape is set for a dramatic transformation. The trend towards digital banking is reshaping customer relationships and prompting financial institutions to re-evaluate their physical presence. Employees are reportedly concerned about the implications of these widespread closures.

“

There are still practically as many bank branches as bakeries in Paris. This is going to change. In two or three years, there will be many more bakeries than banks.