Morocco banking network contracts as 180 branches close in 2025

Morocco’s banking network contraction accelerated in 2025 as banks closed 180 branches while opening only 29, according to a new report from Bank Al Maghrib. The decline reduced the total number of banking outlets nationwide to 5,550 at the end of the year, compared with 5,701 in 2024.

The report shows that the banking network contraction was driven almost entirely by conventional banks. Their branch network fell from 5,486 outlets to 5,331 after 180 closures and just 25 openings. Offshore banks remained unchanged with nine branches.

Participative banks continued to expand despite the broader decline. Their network increased from 206 to 210 branches. Bank Al Yousr opened two branches, Dar Al Amane added one, and Al Akhdar Bank launched one new outlet.

Among traditional lenders, Crédit Populaire du Maroc recorded the largest reduction. The bank closed 66 branches and opened one, ending the year with 1,269 outlets. Bank of Africa shut 43 branches, reducing its network to 593. Attijariwafa Bank closed 27 branches and opened two, bringing its total to 904.

Other banks also reduced their physical presence. Saham Bank closed 16 branches and finished the year with 248 outlets. BMCI closed 14 branches to reach 236. Crédit Agricole du Maroc reduced its network by 10 branches after closing 12 and opening two, ending the year with 480 locations.

Some institutions expanded despite the overall trend. Al Barid Bank opened seven new branches and increased its network to 950 outlets, making it the country’s second largest banking network. CIH added 13 branches and ended the year with 346 locations.

Regional figures show that branch closures were concentrated in major economic areas. Casablanca Settat lost 53 branches on a net basis, falling from 1,612 to 1,559. Rabat Salé Kénitra followed, declining from 854 to 829 branches after 30 closures and five openings.

Fès Meknès lost 20 branches and ended the year with 645 outlets. Tanger Tétouan Al Hoceïma and Marrakech Safi each recorded a net loss of 17 branches, reaching 530 and 489 respectively. The Oriental region lost 14 branches and finished with 493 outlets.

Only two regions posted positive or stable results. Laâyoune Sakia El Hamra gained one branch and reached 74 outlets. Dakhla Oued Ed Dahab maintained its total at 32 branches after one opening balanced one closure.

The report also assessed banking density using demographic projections from Morocco’s High Commission for Planning based on the 2024 national census. Nationally, Morocco recorded 4,862 adults per branch in 2025.

Regional disparities remained significant. Drâa Tafilalet had the weakest coverage with 7,870 adults per branch, followed by Marrakech Safi with 7,201 and Beni Mellal Khénifra with 6,567. Casablanca Settat offered the strongest coverage with 3,681 adults per branch, while the Oriental region followed with 3,460.

At the city level, Casablanca hosted 1,109 branches, making it the largest banking hub in the country. Rabat had 291 outlets and Marrakech counted 278. In many smaller towns, a single branch, often operated by Al Barid Bank or Crédit Populaire du Maroc, remained the primary source of banking services.

The figures indicate a continuing banking network contraction as lenders adapt to digital banking growth, rising operational costs, and changing customer behavior. While conventional banks continue to streamline their branch networks, participative banks are gradually expanding from a smaller base.