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LONDON, Jan 24 (Reuters) - HSBC said on Tuesday itplans to close 117 branches this year and will cut 380 roles inBritain to try to reduce costs.
The bank said about 180 jobs will be eliminated in the finalround of branch network cuts, marking the end of itsrestructuring programme in Britain.
Separately, the bank said it would cut a further 200 jobs in information technology which are being transferred to India,China and Poland, where people can perform the same role onlower salaries.
The job cuts angered trades unions.
"Today is a dark day for hundreds of HSBC staff," saidDominic Hook, a national officer at the Unite union.
"Unite is deeply concerned that this large branch closureprogramme will be devastating not only for staff but also forthe loyal HSBC customers."
HSBC said the number of customers using branches fortransactions has fallen by about 40 percent over the last fiveyears, while the number of people making digital transactionshas increased.
While banks argue the need to maintain extensive branchnetworks has fallen sharply, critics say local branches providea vital service and that elderly and low income customers arehit hardest by closures as many do not have internet access.
HSBC is shutting branches more quickly than other majorBritish banks, with 321 closures since 2015, equating to about aquarter of its network, according to research by Britain'slargest consumer body Which? published last month.
Reuters revealed last year that banks are disproportionatelyclosing branches in the lowest-income areas while expanding inwealthier ones.
The British Bankers' Association announced on Tuesday a newplan that will allow more customers to do banking at the postoffice as lenders step up their closures.
HSBC will have about 625 branches across Britain at the endof this year, down from from 965 branches at the end of 2016. (Reporting By Andrew MacAskill, editing by Anjuli Davies)