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Co-op Bank to shut 18 branches and cut 350 jobs in move to online

Branches with low footfall have been identified by the bank

A branch of a Co-op bank(Image: Getty Images Europe)

The Co-operative Bank plans to cut around 350 jobs from up and down the country as it closes 18 branches and slashes middle management and head office roles.

The bank said it has not been immune to the effects of recent months, as low interest rates hit the income of all lenders.

More customers are also choosing to bank online, and making fewer transactions in branches, chief executive Andrew Bester said.

Bosses promised to try to redeploy staff where possible, and will consult with them and the unions.

Rob MacGregor at Unite said that the union is “deeply disappointed” by the decision to cut staff and close branches.

“Job losses are always unwelcome, however, given the repeated restructuring exercises that this workforce has been through over the past 10 years the news today will be particularly painful,” he said.

“During these extremely testing economic times, Unite wants all employers to work with the trade union to avoid job losses and protect the livelihoods of our members.

“Unite will continue to press The Co-operative Bank to put strategies in place to secure as many jobs as possible and avoid compulsory redundancies.”