Lloyds Banking Group is planning to cut 1,600 staff from its branch network as it tries to reduce costs and push customers towards digital services as part of a corporate overhaul, reports The Guardian. The UK company said it was adapting to a shift in behaviour, with more than 21 million of its 26 million customers choosing to use its services online. The bank will simultaneously create 830 jobs in its relationship growth team – amounting to an overall reduction of about 769 jobs – to provide a hybrid service of in-branch, video or phone appointments for customers. However, there is no guarantee that those new roles will be given to staff whose jobs are being cut.

Lloyds is closing about 114 branches this year, leaving a network of 1,061 sites. The staff cuts will be aimed at senior branch workers, with Lloyds maintaining its most junior roles.