In Italy, the number of bank branches fell from 34,146 in 2008 to 19,655 in 2024, a decrease of 14,491 branches, or 42% of the physical network. After a period of expansion between 2000 and 2008, when branches grew by more than 6,000, the financial crisis, bank mergers, and digitization steadily emptied the country. Between 2016 and 2021, more than 7,000 branches closed, largely owing to the pandemic, which boosted the use of internet channels. Over the last three years, the drop has slowed (-665 in 2022, -825 in 2023, and -505 in 2024), but the trend remains negative. In the medium term, the network will continue to diminish, though at a slower rate. According to a research by the Unimpresa Research Center, Italy's biggest banks are pursuing "next-generation" branch models that focus on advisory services, wealth management, and personalized support. By 2030, a breakeven point of approximately 15,000 branches might be achieved, with a more homogeneous geographical density and a physical presence limited to the most densely inhabited areas. The new business plans that the major credit groups will publish in early 2026 will be critical in determining the future evolution of the Italian banking system. From Intesa Sanpaolo to UniCredit, Banco BPM to BPER and Crédit Agricole Italia, the system's leaders will define strategies that will clearly indicate the direction for the coming years, such as how many branches will remain operational, how much will be invested in digitalization, and how service models will be redesigned.