Lloyds Banking Group has announced it will close a further 48 branches, blaming a decline in visits by customers for the closures. The Group will close 41 Lloyds Bank branches and seven Halifax branches, with Unite union saying this could lead to 178 job losses. The announcement will cut the number of Lloyds Banking Group branches to 1,475, but of the closures the Group has announced, all have alternative access to cash within a third of a mile. 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.” However, Unite said the move will deny thousands of customers access to vital services and cash. General secretary of the union, 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.” Which branches are closing? The branches announced for closure are: Lloyds Amesbury - 28/02/2022 Lloyds Atherton - 02/03/2022 Lloyds Attleborough - 16/03/2022 Lloyds Balham - 22/02/2022 Lloyds Berkhamsted - 09/03/2022 Lloyds Birmingham Cotteridge - 02/03/2022 Lloyds Birmingham Springfield - 16/02/2022 Halifax Bristol Whiteladies - 01/02/2022 Lloyds Brockworth - 07/03/2022 Lloyds Cambridge Cattle Market - 24/02/2022 Halifax Christchurch - 01/02/2022 Lloyds Coleford - 15/03/2022 Halifax Consett - 03/03/2022 Lloyds Crewkerne - 07/03/2022 Lloyds Darwen - 08/02/2022 Lloyds Dorking - 17/03/2022 Lloyds Earlestown - 10/03/2022 Halifax East Grinstead - 14/03/2022 Lloyds Garston - 03/02/2022 Lloyds Great Bridge - 17/02/2022 Lloyds Harpenden - 23/02/2022 Lloyds Hatfield - 01/03/2022 Lloyds Hull Holderness Rd - 10/02/2022 Lloyds Kings Cross - 03/02/2022 Lloyds Kirkby-in-Ashfield - 07/02/2022 Lloyds Leagrave - 15/02/2022 Lloyds Leatherhead - 15/03/2022 Lloyds Maldon - 15/02/2022 Lloyds Melksham - 15/02/2022 Lloyds Muswell Hill - 31/01/2022 Lloyds New Malden - 14/02/2022 Lloyds Oxted - 07/03/2022 Lloyds Penarth - 09/02/2022 Lloyds Ponteland - 08/02/2022 Halifax Portsmouth North End - 22/02/2022 Lloyds Portsmouth North End - 21/02/2022 Lloyds Prescot - 28/02/2022 Lloyds Runcorn - 01/03/2022 Lloyds Seaford - 17/03/2022 Halifax Sevenoaks - 24/02/2022 Lloyds South Kensington - 31/01/2022 Lloyds Southampton Hythe - 07/02/2022 Lloyds St Marys Isle of Scilly - 25/04/2022 Lloyds Sydenham - 21/02/2022 Halifax Tewkesbury - 02/02/2022 Lloyds Tutbury - 14/03/2022 Lloyds Windsor - 08/03/2022 Lloyds Worthing George V Ave - 02/02/2022 A version of this article originally appeared on NationalWorld.com