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The bank said about 180 jobs will be eliminated in the final
round of branch network cuts, marking the end of its
restructuring programme in Britain.
Separately, the bank said it would cut a further 200 jobs in
information technology which are being transferred to India,
China and Poland, where people can perform the same role on
lower salaries.
The job cuts angered trades unions.
"Today is a dark day for hundreds of HSBC staff," said Dominic
Hook, a national officer at the Unite union.
"Unite is deeply concerned that this large branch closure
programme will be devastating not only for staff but also for
the loyal HSBC customers."
HSBC said the number of customers using branches for
transactions has fallen by about 40 percent over the last five
years, while the number of people making digital transactions
has increased.
While banks argue the need to maintain extensive branch networks
has fallen sharply, critics say local branches provide a vital
service and that elderly and low income customers are hit
hardest by closures as many do not have internet access.
HSBC is shutting branches more quickly than other major British
banks, with 321 closures since 2015, equating to about a quarter
of its network, according to research by Britain's largest
consumer body Which? published last month.
Reuters revealed last year that banks are disproportionately
closing branches in the lowest-income areas while expanding in
wealthier ones.
The British Bankers' Association announced on Tuesday a new plan
that will allow more customers to do banking at the post office
as lenders step up their closures.
HSBC will have about 625 branches across Britain at the end of
this year, down from 965 branches at the end of 2016.
(This version of the story was refiled to fix formatting)
(Reporting By Andrew MacAskill, editing by Anjuli Davies)
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