A Wall Street bank just issued the most dire prediction yet about US shopping malls

About a quarter of US malls will likely close within the next five years, according to a new prediction from Credit Suisse.

In a research note published Tuesday, the bank estimated that between 20% and 25% of the nation's 1,100 shopping malls - or roughly 220 to 275 shopping centers - will shut down by 2022.

Credit Suisse cited $4, the rise of ecommerce, and the growing popularity of off-price chains - which tend to be located outside of shopping malls - as reasons for the potential mall closures.

About 3,600 store closures have been announced so far this year.

Credit Suisse estimates that about 8,640 store closures will ultimately close by December.

The firm also estimates that ecommerce will grow from 17% of apparel sales today to 37% of apparel sales by 2030.