Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks Closing 28 Branches Despite Investing £45m

Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks are closing 28 branches across the country despite pledging to invest £45m on 'customer improvements'.

Clydesdale and Yorkshire, part of National Australia Bank, will save £5m (€6m, $8.2m) from the branch closures but will spend tens of millions on six flagship branches under a programme to "replace, renew, relocate and reinvest" across the retail branch network.

"There's a lot of positive change being driven forward for our customers and there needs to be more as we build a better bank. Here we are making a significant investment to meet the changing needs of customers now and in the future," said David Thorburn, chief executive of Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank in a statement.

"But to deliver what are fundamentally necessary changes, we have to face in to difficult decisions. No branch closure is welcomed by customers or staff, I understand that, which is why we are working to minimise the effects these changes have on them.

"Our resources must now be focused on where they can deliver the best results for customers, moving with them as their demands change. A branch network remains at the core of what we do, and we are investing in it, but we must balance that against the investment we need to make in the services customers now expect and are using more - online and mobile banking services that give customers control of their finances when and where they want it most."