The group trimmed costs to £353million in the first half, while 26 branch closures – nine Clydesdale sites and a further 17 under the Yorkshire Bank brand – announced in April are among measures aimed at reducing full-year costs to £730million. CYBG said this was "well below" the £762 million previously expected. Mr Duffy revealed 150 senior staff would be leaving the group with voluntary redundancy packages over the next few months. The previously announced retail network closures means it will be the end of the line for the Tain branch and eight other Scottish sites in July as more customers do their day-to-day banking online, on the move and outside normal business hours. Mr Duffy said: "We will continue to review our operating costs in the second half, generating further efficiency initiatives.