By Ed Towner

Lloyds TSB and HBOS customers have a reason for to be happy this February as the banking group has committed to keeping open all of its 2,902 nationwide branches for the next three years.

The state-backed banking group, which includes high street names such as Halifax and Bank of Scotland, has also pledged to not close a branch if it is the last one in a community.

Many traditional savers will be happy with this news as the increasing popularity of online banking and the current financial crisis have led large banks to question the need for expensive community branches.

Recent statistics from the British Bankers' Association show that nearly 190 high street branches were closed in 2010.

Late last year RBS, Natwest and Ulster Bank accountholders were told they could make cash withdrawals at any Post Office branch in the UK, Lloyds customers worried about losing branches will be hoping their bank follows suit.

Antonio Horta-Osorio, Lloyds Banking Group chief executive, wants to let customers know that they are at the forefront of the banks' plans, and says: "We want to put the customer at the heart of everything we do and it is why last year we put a moratorium on branch closures.

"Today we commit to keeping the same number of branches on a net basis, over the next three years. And we also commit not to close a branch if we are the last one in a community."

He goes on to state that brick and mortar branches are critical to how it interacts with customers as they are "at the centre of our communities". The branch network, promises the banker, will continue playing a crucial role in its future plans.