The Financial Services Union (FSU) has said it is hugely disappointed by the decision by Ulster Bank to close ten branches in Northern Ireland.
The union said the decision by parent NatWest represents a shocking abandonment of its loyal customer base and a bitter blow to communities in Northern Ireland.
Around 52 staff are to be impacted by the decision of the bank, the union claimed, with some set to be redeployed and others to be offered voluntary redundancy.
"The FSU held a meeting with the CEO of NatWest yesterday. We outlined our total opposition to the announcement of closures and to staff being put at risk and called on NatWest to provide a much stronger commitment to maintaining jobs in Northern Ireland," said John O'Connell, FSU chief executive.
"Today, the Council of the FSU met and passed an emergency motion committing the Union to campaign vigorously against these planned closures and to campaign for a wider commitment from the main retail Banks in Northern Ireland that there would be no bank branches closed for the next five years."
The FSU said it will also engage with the Financial Conduct Authority to seek their involvement in protecting customers access to in person financial advice and cash services.
The impact on jobs comes on top of the 350 people losing their jobs in Ulster Bank Northern Ireland as a result of the decision to close Ulster Bank in the Republic of Ireland.
The branches will close between February and November of next year.
Among the branches closing is Lisnaskea, which will leave the Fermanagh town with no bank.
Other branches to close are Ballynahinch, Crumlin, Downpatrick, Glengormley, Lurgan, Waterside in Londonderry and three branches in Belfast - Ormeau Road, University Road and Kings Road.
England and Wales branch closures
The moves in Northern Ireland came as NatWest Group said today that it plans to close another 19 branches in the England and Wales, mostly in the early part of next year - the latest tranche of hundreds of banks that have closed in recent years.
The bank said it will shut 18 NatWest branches and one Royal Bank of Scotland branch.
The NatWest branches are mainly spread across England, apart from one in Pontypridd in Wales.
All the NatWest sites will close in either the latter part of February or early March, the bank said.
Three of the sites are in London, with others in Redcar, Bradford, Birmingham, Maldon and Dudley, among others.
The one RBS branch that is set to close is on Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow, though it will stay open until November 19 next year.
Natwest, which owned Ulster Bank here, has left the Irish market.
There has been a massive exodus of branches from the high street in recent years.
So far in 2023 alone, banks have announced the closure of 578 branches across the UK.
The largest number of closures announced this year have been Barclays branches. The bank has said 185 of its sites are set to shut.
NatWest is second with 116 branches, followed by Lloyds (112), Halifax (72), Virgin Money (40), Bank of Scotland (28), Ulster Bank (10), TSB (nine), RBS (five), and Nationwide (one).
It comes as the average number of transactions made over the counter at NatWest Group branches fell 60% in the four years to January 2023. Customers have chosen to use mobile apps instead.
"As with many industries, most of our customers are shifting to mobile and online banking, because it's faster and easier for people to manage their financial lives," NatWest said.
"We understand and recognise that digital solutions aren't right for everyone or every situation, and that when we close branches we have to make sure that no-one is left behind," it said.
"We take our responsibility seriously to support the people who face challenges in moving online, so we are investing to provide them with support and alternatives that work for them," it added.
