THERE are fears for jobs after banking giant Santander announced that 140 branches in the UK are to close - including one in Renfrewshire. 

More than 1,200 jobs are at risk, following a slump in the number of transactions it handles. 

The banking giant has revealed the branch in Renfrew is to close as it continues to consult with unions to find alternative roles for employees affected by the closures.

READ MORE: The full list of banks closed in Renfrewshire in last three years

Branches in Paisley and Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire, have avoided the axe, with Santander confident a third of the employees will be distributed across the group. 

Following the closures, Santander will retain a network of 614 branches with its customers also having the option to bank using the more than 11,000 Post Office branches across the UK.

The move comes as the number of transactions carried out at Santander branches fell by 23% over the past three years, while transactions online and on mobile phones have soared by 99%.

Susan Allen, head of retail and business banking at Santander, said: "The way our customers are choosing to bank with us has changed dramatically in recent years, with more and more customers using online and mobile channels.

"As a result, we have had to take some very difficult decisions over our less visited branches, and those where we have other branches in close proximity.

READ MORE: 'A body blow': Renfrew politicians react to bank closure

"We will support customers of closing branches to find alternative ways to bank with us that best suit their individual needs. We are also working alongside our unions to support colleagues through these changes and to find alternative roles for those impacted wherever possible”.

She added that the banks expects the size of its branch network to "remain stable for the foreseeable future".