Ulster Bank is closing 22 branches across the country.

Management says that - in the past week - an average of 30 people per day used the branches that are set to close, while 62 per cent of all transactions last year were digital.

220 jobs are also to go in the organisation, as part of the restructuring process.

It says the redundancies will be volunteer-led and that supports will be put in place to assist affected customers.

The restructuring will also involve an upgrade of branches and the addition of two mobile banks which will travel to rural areas.

CEO Gerry Mallon said "Closing a branch is a difficult decision which we do not take lightly, and our branch network remains an important part of how we serve our customers."

He added: "the role of the branch continues to move toward advice and away from day-to-day transactions, with only 10% of our customer interactions now happening in branch."

The affected branches include five in Dublin, four in Cork, two in Donegal, Cavan, Limerick and Galway along with other single closures in counties Mayo, Sligo, Monaghan, Offaly, and Longford.