A total of 44 bank branches will shut in a move putting 291 jobs at risk. Santander said closing branches will be replaced with “community bankers”, who will operate from Santander Local stores or banking hubs to keep a presence in local communities. It will also operate 19 counter-free branches, 36 reduced-hour branches, six work cafes and 111 Santander Locals. Santander stressed it is continuing to invest tens of millions of pounds into its branches, refurbishing more than 220 sites over the past six years. The deal with TSB, which will bring more branches into the business, is expected to complete later this quarter.