Yorkshire Bank to shed 122 jobs

The bank says the jobs will go at branches throughout Yorkshire

Yorkshire Bank has announced it is to cut 122 jobs across its branch network because of a surge in the number of customers banking online.

The cuts, which will begin coming into effect in October, will affect branches in Yorkshire and the Midlands.

Union leaders urged managers to ensure there were no compulsory redundancies.

The cuts will be partially offset by the creation of 22 specialist adviser roles, most of them in Leeds, for customers in financial difficulties.

There will also be a net reduction of nine posts at the Clydesdale Bank in Scotland, which is part of the same group.

The bank said it was responding to a 12% jump in the number of online transactions in the six months to March.

'Changing market'

Steve Reid, retail director for Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks said: "Customers are changing how they choose to do business with us and we are always thinking about how to do things better and more efficiently.

"These changes are designed to provide an enhanced service for customers whilst also adapting the business to changing market conditions.

"We will work closely with our people to support them and to find suitable alternative roles wherever possible."

Rob MacGregor, national officer with the Unite union, said: "These valuable banking advisers, mortgage advisers, business managers' assistants and quality advisers are the backbone of the business.

"Only through their hard work will the bank be able to weather the current economic storm.

"Unite will challenge management in the coming months to ensure that all staff affected by these cuts will be offered suitable alternative employment and that there are no compulsory job losses."