THREE Clydesdale Bank branches in Glasgow are to shut later this year as part of nine closures across Scotland.

The lender announced the news today, following a review. It said customers wanted more access to services online and out of normal office hours.

Banks in Bishopbriggs, Blantyre, Cardonald, Bridge of Weir, Coatbridge, Lanark, Prestwick, Hawick and Tain will be affected.

Seventeen branches under the Yorkshire Bank brand are also shutting.

The closures will happen between July and September.

The Glasgow-based lender said the move reflected the changing needs of customers.

Clydesdale split from its Australian parent company earlier this year, and said the announcement reflected the changing needs of customers who want to access more day-to-day banking services quickly, on the move and outside normal business hours.

The bank has also announced that Saturday opening hours will be extended and that an extra 13 branches in Scotland will open on Saturdays by the end of the year.

Bosses say that, wherever possible, frontline branch staff will be found roles either within other branches or elsewhere in the organisation.

Steve Fletcher, from Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank, said: “I understand this will not be welcome news for those who use these particular branches.

"These are difficult decisions but ones we must face as we try to keep up with the pace of change in the way people want to bank. We have to balance our investment to ensure we support demand where it is greatest, across mobile, online and branch services.

“Branches remain vitally important to us, and we continue to invest in them, the services they offer and when we offer them. I hope that the investment we’re making in the overall quality of our branch network, the big increase in Saturday opening and the availability of other ways to bank, like local Post Office counters , will minimise the effect of this announcement for customers.”