DECISION MAKING

Over the past few years, a retail bank has moved from 10 branches in one state to 100 branches in 8 states. All the branches are operated autonomously and the company as a whole is losing money. Specifically, the branches in four of the backward areas are losing money. But, government regulations state that it must have some branches in backward areas too. In the past, the bank has tried to mandate cost reductions and had formed committees with representatives from each branch, but to no avail. What should the bank do now?