Halifax customers who have online banking and receive paper statements will no longer get them in this way from 1 November 2023.
A number of customers who use online banking have sent This is Money an email they were sent by the bank informing them of the change.
Halifax told customers that ‘from 1 November 2023 we’re changing the way we send statements for some credit cards, current and savings accounts.
‘We’re experiencing some issues and may not be able to send as many by post as we normally do.’
Halifax customers reported the bank will no longer be issuing paper statements from 1 November due to ‘issues’ the bank is experiencing
When asked about the ‘issues’, the banking giant said it has taken a pre-emptive step to send only online statements to customers who already bank online to protect them from supply chain issues or postal delays.
One customer told This is Money: ‘I do a lot of things online but for some things I still like a paper statement. My credit card is one of those things.’
This is Money understands that nothing will change for customers who don’t use online banking – those who don’t bank online and only get paper statements will continue to do so.
Halifax explained customers who use online banking will now only be sent their bank statements digitally.
In an email to a customer, the bank said: ‘As you use online banking, we’ll only send your statements to you digitally.
‘This means you’ll only be able to see them in online banking or our mobile banking app and we’ll send you an email to let you know when they’re ready.
‘We’re sending you a letter which will include a list of your affected accounts so please look out for this.’
If a customer who uses online banking needs to receive a paper statement, they will still be able to, Halifax says.
It says any customer can get in touch to discuss their statements as they aren’t removing the option of paper statements.
Halifax said it will let customer know was soon as possible when it is able to offer customers paper statements again.
One customer told This is Money it feels like a move to ‘force customers online’.
Customers who need paper statements but do not have access to a working printer will have to go to a Halifax branch to request a paper statement.
But this may prove difficult for some as Lloyds Bank, who owns Halifax, announced plans to close 18 Halifax branches between January and September next year – bringing the total number of Halifax branches across the UK to around 500.
As a result, those who can’t get to a branch may have to resort to paying to have their bank statements printed at a library or a specialist printing shop.
A spokesman from Halifax said: ‘We’ve written to online banking customers to let them know statements will only be sent to their secure digital inbox in future and there’s no change for customers who prefer not to bank online.’
