HSBC warned today that about 100 staff could leave the bank as a result of plans to axe 114 branches nationwide from April next year.

The bank blamed a substantial decline in customers coming into its branches over the last five years, but especially since the coronavirus pandemic.

Some of the branches targeted for closure serve fewer than 250 customers a week, according to HSBC.

It said that it hopes to redeploy all staff at affected locations to other roles, either to other branches or to a different position within the company.

Unite national officer Dominic Hook said the union was “appalled” by the announcement of the mass closures.

“This hugely profitable financial institution is walking away from the customers and communities who most need access to local banking services,” he said.

“While this government is happy to stand aside and allow banks to pay their City bankers astronomical bonuses, there is no political will to challenge the banks on their actions in our communities.”

Mr Hook called on the bank to reconsider the closures during the consultation process, insisting that it should not abandon the most vulnerable people in society who rely on a neighbourhood bank.

The vast majority of the proposed closures, 108 of the 114 branches, will result in there being no HSBC branch within three miles, Mr Hook said, adding that it was “disgraceful” that people in 25 communities will be left to travel over 15 miles to the nearest HSBC.

Earlier this year, the company announced the closure of 69 more branches, which was expected to hit about 400 workers.

Consumer group Which? said in early November that 587 bank branches had closed so far this year.