Lloyds Banking Group is to close two more 48 branches in the North East, blaming declining visits by customers.
Nationally, the company is closing 41 Lloyds Bank sites and seven Halifax branches, including the Lloyds at Ponteland, Northumberland, and the Halifax at Consett, County Durham.
The Unite union said the closures would deny thousands of customers access to vital services and cash, and could lead to 178 job losses.
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But Lloyds said a continuing decline in customer numbers had forced the closure plans.
Vim Maru, retail director for Lloyds Banking Group, said: “Like many other businesses, we’ve seen people using our branches less frequently in recent years, and this decline is continuing.
“Our branches remain a fundamental part of how we serve our customers but we need to ensure the size of our branch network reflects the number of customers wanting to use them.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The announcement by Lloyds Banking Group of closing a further 48 bank branches is a complete betrayal of the communities and staff who have long supported this highly profitable business.
“This sector needs to start taking their corporate social responsibilities seriously and stop neglecting their obligations to their customers and workforce.
“Banks are leaving people behind in the rush to close bank branches and force consumers to go cashless to boost their mega-profits. It’s a classic example of putting profits before people.”
Unite said it believes the banking industry should have a legal commitment to protect access to cash and bank branches.
The announcement will cut the number of Lloyds Banking Group branches to 1,475, the union added.
Hexham MP Guy Opperman MP has criticised the Ponteland branch closure.
He said: ‘’I urge Lloyds to urgently rethink their position. Access to cash and an in-person counter are vital services to residents who may not be able to access online banking services.
"The Ponteland branch serves many of the surrounding villages meaning it will hit another one of the rural communities in my constituency very hard.
"Clearly, footfall in branches has reduced since the advent of the pandemic. However, in-person banking services continue to be vital – we must save this branch!”
