Cyprus Popular Bank  plans to close 65 branches in Cyprus and Greece by the end of the year, to reduce operating expenses and boost profit, Cyprus Broadcasting Corp. reported, without citing anyone.

The total branch network will be reduced to 225 and staff pay and benefits will be cut, the state broadcaster said on its website today. In Greece, pay cuts will mainly affect higher- paid executives and the lender expects a large number of resignations, CyBC said.