Ulster Bank is to close seven branches and three sub-offices around the country.

The plans were outlined to staff today and also include plans to shut five branches in the North.

Last year, the bank closed at 11 separate locations in the Republic Up to 70 staff will be affected North and South of the border.

The affected branches are South Mall, Cork; Pearse Road, Sligo; Granard; Clane, Kimmage, Dublin; Inchicore, Dublin; and George's Quay, Dublin - together with three sub-offices in Clara, Co. Offaly; Enfield, Co. Meath; and Lifford, Co. Donegal.

The five branches earmarked for closure in Northern Ireland are Lisburn Road, Belfast, Lombard Street, Belfast; Finaghy; Rathcoole/Newtownabbey; and Hillsborough.

The are all set to be to shut before the end of 2014.

In a statement, Ulster Bank says "These changes are in response to changing customer behaviours in particular the use of mobile and online banking. We continue to invest in these alternative banking channels to improve access to our services for our customers".

They say they will be contacting customers of these branches to inform them of alternative locations in their area.

"We are also communicating directly with staff in those branches and there will be no additional job losses as a result of this announcement", the statement adds.

The finance union, IBOA, has reacted to the announcement by saying that it is concerned that the news "pre-empts, to some extent, the on-going negotiations between the Bank's senior management and the Union on the restructuring of the institution".

"Those negotiations have reached a crucial stage with the two sides agreeing to refer all unresolved issues - including proposals for branch closures - to an independent mediator, Mr. Mark Connaughton, who is due to meet the parties this week" IBOA General-Secretary Larry Broderick said.

The union also says that Ulster Bank management cannot confirm this announcement marks the end of the restructuring of its branch network.