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Professional Services

HSBC to close 27 branches this year amid major High Street changes

A number of jobs are at risk in the plans but staff at more than half the branches will be redeployed

(Image: Danny Lawson/PA Wire)

Jobs are at risk at HSBC branches across the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ amid plans to close 27 sites this year.

Staff in 10 branches, which employ a combined 46 people, face losing their jobs under the closures.

However, those working at the other 17 branches earmarked to shut will be moved to other roles at nearby HSBC sites, the bank said.

It will also invest nearly £34m in its remaining 594 branches this year, and will refurbish 49 of them.

The announcement comes as customers turn to other forms of banking, making them less reliant on using a branch, the bank said.

HSBC said nine in 10 contacts with customers now happen over the phone, via the internet or on its smartphone app, with the number of customers who use a branch falling by a third in the last five years.

Only one in every 100 cash withdrawals are made in branch at an HSBC.

"Retaining a sustainable branch network is extremely important to us and we need to ensure it is fit for the future.