Lloyds Banking Group said yesterday it plans to close a further 48 branches, blaming declining visits by customers. The Unite union said the closure of 41 Lloyds Bank and seven Halifax branches will deny thousands of customers access to vital services and cash, and could lead to 178 job losses. Lloyds retail director Vim Maru said: "Like many other businesses, we've seen people using our branches less frequently in recent years, and this decline is continuing. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham called the announcement "a complete betrayal of the communities and staff who have long supported this highly profitable business... It's a classic example of putting profits before people."

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