Santander UK is set to close nearly a quarter of its branch network, putting around 750 jobs at risk as customers increasingly move to digital banking.

The high street bank announced plans to shut 95 of its 444 branches from June, leaving it with 349 outlets across the UK.

As part of the restructuring, 36 branches will operate on reduced hours and 18 will become "counter-free," with only 290 full-service branches remaining after the changes.

"Closing a branch is always a very difficult decision and we spend a great deal of time assessing where and when we do this and how to minimise the impact it may have on our customers," a Santander spokesperson said.

The bank cited a "rapid movement" of customers shifting to online banking, with digital transactions increasing by 63 per cent since 2019. In the same period, financial transactions completed in branches have fallen by 61 per cent.

"As a business, we must move with customers and balance our investment across all the places where we interact with customers, to deliver the very best for them now and in the future," the spokesperson added.

Santander said that despite the closures, 93 per cent of the UK population would still be within 10 miles of one of its branches. The bank plans to introduce 95 "community bankers" who will visit local communities on a weekly basis in facilities such as libraries to provide face-to-face support for customers in areas where branches are closing.

The company added that it is consulting with employee unions on the changes and has promised to provide support to affected staff, including assistance in finding alternative jobs within the bank.

Santander is also continuing to roll out its "Work Cafés" concept, with five currently open in the UK. These hubs provide banking services and cash withdrawals, alongside co-working spaces and wifi.

Consumer group Which? described the closures as "a real blow to many customers" and called for the government to "hold banks' feet to the fire" to ensure commitments to provide banking services are met.

"Access to cash remains hugely important for a significant minority who use it to pay for everyday essentials and keep track of their spending," said Jenny Ross, money editor at Which?.

The announcement follows similar moves by other high street banks, with Lloyds Banking Group announcing in January that it would close 136 branches, including 61 Lloyds branches, 61 Halifax and 14 Bank of Scotland sites.

Santander UK, which posted a 38 per cent fall in annual pretax profit to £1.33 billion in 2024, employs around 18,000 people according to its annual report.

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