American banks closed more branches than they opened nationwide during the third quarter, due largely to shifting consumer preferences, as well as mergers and acquisitions, according to recent data from SNL Financial.

On a net-net basis, the total number of bank branches across the country declined by 390 during this most recent quarter. Massachusetts, however, did not experience any net increase or decrease, as three bank branches closed and three new branches opened during the third quarter. Florida, Pennsylvania and Indiana saw the greatest net losses, while Nebraska and the District of Columbia each saw a net gain of one branch during the third quarter.

"There’s almost nobody in the branches," Jim Adkins, founder and managing member of bank consultancy Artisan Advisors, said in a statement. "You could shoot water balloons all over the place and not hit anybody."

Observers speaking to SNL Financial attributed the decline in branches to consumer preferences for online and mobile channels, merger and acquisition activity and an industry-wide proclivity for cutting costs.