Bank's customers checked balances or applied for a mortgage over Christmas

One in 20 online banking customers with Santander UK logged in on Christmas Day, the bank has said.

The day saw 5% of the bank's online customers log into their accounts, with activity peaking between 10am and noon - with some perhaps checking the impact of their Christmas shopping on their bank balances.

Meanwhile, 13 people applied for a mortgage with Santander on either Christmas Day or Boxing Day, with the first application coming through at 11am on Christmas Day.

The bank said while most applications were for re-mortgages, there were also a couple from first-time buyers.

Andy Smith, head of media relations at Santander, said: "It's interesting to see that even during the festive break people are applying for a mortgage and checking their bank balance online."