A Santander branch

Staff from Santander branches in Norwich and Wisbech which are set to close will be absorbed into other shops, the company has said.

The bank’s Castle Meadow branch in Norwich and the one at 46 Market Place in Wisbech will shut following the integration of Abbey, Alliance & Leicester and Bradford & Bingley.

A Santander spokesman said: “Since integrating and rebranding Abbey, Alliance & Leicester and Bradford & Bingley, Santander UK has been closely reviewing how its customers use the new enlarged branch network.

“Based on this analysis, Santander UK is consolidating its branches in Norwich where our detailed two-year research shows we can continue to provide the level of service needed to the local community.

“Santander is committed to its branch network, and providing our customers with a choice about how they bank with us.”

Santander has steadily been growing its corporate banking presence in the region over the past two years and is currently refurbishing its corporate banking offices.

There is a core team of three people dedicated to servicing Norwich and the surrounding area. It also has a team of product and sector specialists.

In the year to end June, the bank grew its SME lending by 88pc, providing £97m of new facilities to companies in the region.