UPDATE 1-Insurer FBD says to cut jobs, close branches

(Adds detail on job cuts, background)

DUBLIN, Dec 2 (Reuters) - FBD Holdings Plc (FBD.I)said on Tuesday it would cut jobs and close branches as part of a reorganisation, since much of the Irish insurer's business is now conducted over the phone and Internet.

FBD said about 150 jobs would be cut out of the total workforce of around 950 at its FBD Insurance Plc unit, adding it would reduce the number of branches to 34 from 47.

The final number of cuts will be agreed after talks with unions, Marketing Director Adrian Taheny said.

"We expect early in the new year we'll have the discussions completed and we move forward with it," Taheny told broadcaster Newstalk.

Apart from cutting costs, the reorganisation will help remaining offices to focus on growing FBD's farming and commercial business, Chief Executive Andrew Langford said in a statement.

FBD, which also has investment services and property divisions, said last month its full-year earnings would be about 10 percent below the range then expected by analysts, which was between 195 to 205 cents per share, as claims charges had come in higher than expected. (Reporting by Andras Gergely; Editing by David Holmes)