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With a 40 percent decline in U.S. bank branches since 1991 and a projected continuing decline of 25 percent by 2018, according to banking industry business intelligence firm FMSI, it's a fair question to ask. In a wide-ranging study, FMSI says the drop-off in branches may prove to financial institutions that keeping bricks-and-mortar local banking centers running isn't sustainable or cost efficient.

With transactions dropping and staffing levels remaining the same, the inevitable outcome is costly overstaffing in the branch environment.

"Our study reveals a declining branch transaction trend of which senior management at financial institutions should take note," says W. Michael Scott, chief executive at FMSI. "With transactions dropping and staffing levels remaining the same, the inevitable outcome is costly overstaffing in the branch environment."