SANTANDER is closing a further 44 branches, putting 291 jobs at risk. It is the latest swathe of closures by the Spanish-owned bank which, like others on the high street, is closing bricks-and-mortar stores as customers move online. Santander representative will operate from a nearby banking hub or Santander local – locations in libraries and community centres where customers can seek help one day each week. Santander said: “We will continue to invest in both our branch network – comprising of full-service branches, counter-free branches, reduced-hour branches, Santander Locals, and our increasingly popular work cafes – as well as our digital banking services, so we can be there to support our customers however they choose to bank with us. The Redditch branch is closing on May 13, the Evesham branch on April 28 and the Shirley branch on May 20.