Santander is scrapping its text alerts in a blow to customers.

The service gives customers weekly updates about their bank account balances and transactions, and alerts about other account activity.

Starting May 12, Santander customers will no longer receive text alerts for several account activities, including when their balance goes above or below a set limit or when deposits or withdrawals exceed a chosen threshold.

However, customers will continue to receive alerts for more critical account changes, particularly those that could lead to charges. This includes notifications when an account approaches its overdraft limit or slips into an unarranged overdraft.

Santander is encouraging customers to keep track of their finances by signing up for online or mobile banking. For those who prefer in-person support, account activity can still be monitored by visiting a local branch.

The move is part of Santander’s ongoing effort to streamline services and encourage digital banking. The bank is rivalled by the likes of NatWest, Nationwide, Barclays and Lloyds.

In a message detailing the change on the Santander website, the bank said: “If you've registered for some alerts on a Personal current account or savings account, from 12 May 2025 we'll stop sending them.

“We’re doing this because you can get a more detailed view of your account activity with Mobile or Online Banking.

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First Direct, sister bank to HSBC, axed text message alerts last summer.

A spokesperson from First Direct said at the time: "There's lots of other ways for customers to access information about their account.

"Push notifications are now available to all customers through mobile and online banking, providing detailed and up-to-date information about their balance and transactions in real-time."