The long Easter weekend has arrived and for many it will be a much-needed opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones and almost certainly indulge in some seasonal treats. The weekend brings two bank holidays for most across the UK, on Good Friday, April 3, and Easter Monday, April 6.

This means that various services that would ordinarily be open on those days will be shut to allow staff to enjoy the break as well. The clue is in the name, so this will naturally include banks and building societies.

However, should you need to access a bank over the long weekend, it will still be possible in certain circumstances. Banking has transformed in recent times, with many towns losing branches and those that remain frequently operating reduced hours even on ordinary working days.

It's worth bearing in mind that cash can usually be withdrawn and paid into bank accounts via Post Offices and Post Office Banking Hubs as well. Below is a round-up of the major banks and their opening plans for the long weekend. These generally apply in England, Wales and Northern Ireland - Easter Monday isn't a bank holiday in Scotland.

Timings vary by branch, with smaller sites opening for fewer hours than larger ones. Nationwide has a branch locator, where people can check their local branch. They will be closed on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, but some will be open on Saturday.

Lloyds states that its standard banking hours are Monday to Friday from 9am or 9.30am until 3.30pm or 4pm, with some remaining open until 5.30pm. Numerous bank branches stay open late once weekly, until 5.30pm or 6pm, while also opening on Saturdays, typically from 9am or 9.30am until 12.30pm or 3.30pm. Banks in England and Wales remain open over lunch, though many of their Scottish and Northern Irish counterparts close for a one-hour lunch break.

Branches will be closed on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, though some will open as normal on Saturday. Customers can verify their local branch via the Lloyds website.

Opening hours differ considerably for TSB branches, with some operating limited hours, frequently only opening on weekday mornings. This varies and customers can verify their local branch through a branch locator. Branches will be closed on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, though some will open on Saturday.

Individual branches operate varying opening times, depending on their size and location. They will be closed on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, though some will be open on Saturday. Customers can verify their local timings through the branch locator. Customers can also utilise a Lloyds or Bank of Scotland branch to manage their account.

Times differ depending on location and HSBC directs customers to its locator tool to check. Branches won't open on Good Friday, Easter Sunday or Easter Monday, though some are open on Saturday.

On its website, Santander states that its "branch opening hours have permanently changed". It adds that "the way many customers manage their money and banking has continued to change and the recent pandemic has accelerated this. Fewer customers are visiting our branches and many are finding it convenient to use Mobile or Online Banking or contact us by telephone for their day-to-day banking.

"So, we've looked at how we can help our branch staff to continue providing a face-to-face service as well as supporting those customers that now prefer to contact us by telephone. If you need help that we can't provide using Mobile, Online or Telephone Banking or during our branch opening hours, please call us on 0330 9 123 123. We'll then work with you to understand how best we can help. Where necessary we will be able to help arrange a branch appointment in line with our previous branch opening hours."

The bank provides a branch locator tool for customers to check on their nearest branches. Many smaller sites operate only on selected days throughout the week, varying from branch to branch. Larger branches typically run more traditional hours. That said, all branches will remain closed on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Some larger city and town centre branches will be open on Saturday morning.

Opening hours vary considerably depending on your local NatWest branch. The bank directs customers to its branch locator tool to find precise times. Branches will be closed on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, though some larger branches may operate on Saturday.

Barclays similarly directs customers to its branch locator so they can check on their nearest bank. Likewise, branches will be shut on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, though some larger branches may remain open on Saturday.