HSBC is to close its Felixstowe branch in July as part of a nationwide restructure that will see another 82 shut down this year.

Staff at the branch at Hamilton Road in the town will be redeployed within 15 miles of their home when it closes on Friday, July 23, according to the bank

The bank is planning HSBC branches with no counters as well as cash service versions as it looks to update how its network will operate.

HSBC's Jackie Uhi said: "Over the last few months, we've been conducting a number of pilots to test out a range of potential future branch formats at different locations to make sure we are giving customers what they want where they want it."

She added: "The direction of travel is really quite clear and this is borne out by the reduction in branch usage and increase in digital interaction that we are seeing first-hand."

Under the new system there will be four types of branch:

Full Service Branches: offering a full range of services, predominantly based within large cities and towns where branches see a broad range of requests.

Cash Service Branches: supporting local communities that are more cash intensive with a greater need for access to cash, alongside simple over-the-counter servicing and the ability to deal with more complex issues such as bereavement and Power of Attorney.

Digital Service Branches: counterless branches providing 'traditional' cash and cheque transactions using self-service technology, with an emphasis on assisting with digital technology adoption and product fulfilment alongside other more complex, non-standard service requests.

Pop Up Branches: a temporary, movable, local presence that is flexible and agile, helping customers with 'in the moment' queries including help setting up and resetting online and digital banking, providing digital education, guidance and customer support.

Work has already begun on reformatting and refurbishing branches - and is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.

The 'pop up' branches will be rolled out later this year too.

"The Covid-19 pandemic has emphasised the need for the changes that we are making," Uhi said.

"It hasn't pushed us in a different direction but reinforces the things that we were focusing on before and has crystalised our thinking. This is a strategic direction that we need to take to have a branch network fit for the future."

Of the 82 sites closing, 81 are within a mile of a Post Office, two thirds are within five miles of another HSBC branch and nine in 10 are within 10 miles, the bank added.

"Making sure we have a sustainable branch network is essential to us, and decisions to close branches are not taken lightly," Uhi said.

"By ensuring we have the most suitable branch format in each specific local market that we serve, we will ensure that we are in good shape to meet the challenges ahead."