SANTANDER is to shut 44 of its branches putting 291 jobs at risk as it shifts towards more digital banking.

The Spain-based financial giant said the move came after a rapid uptake in customers using online services, with 96 per cent of all transactions now performed digitally.

It follows an announcement in March that Santander would close 95 branches, resulting in 150 workers being sacked.

A July statement by the firm’s British boss Mike Regnier who accounted for about 2,000 roles cut over the previous year as he indicated that more job cuts “might well be” on the way.

Bosses insisted they would continue to invest tens of millions of pounds into leftover locations. Cuts will now leave the bank with only 244 full branches.

Santander announced the closures as it continues its takeover of British banking rival TSB for £2.65 billion, which is expected to be done by the next financial quarter.