Union slam closure of 11 bank branches
A UNION boss has slammed the “unnecessary” closure of 11 Bank of Scotland branches.
Lloyds Banking Group, who own Bank of Scotland, announced yesterday that they will close 49 branches across the UK next year with the loss of 99 jobs.
The Scots banks hit are in Alva, Clackmannanshire, Bridge of Allan and Denny, both Stirlingshire, Dalmuir, Giffnock and Scotstoun in the Glasgow area, Lochgelly, Fife, Carnoustie, Angus, and Prestwick.
Stirling’s Munro Road branch and Edinburgh’s Piershill branch will also shut down.
Lloyds, who were bailed out by taxpayers after the 2008 financial crash, blamed the closures on changing customer behaviour with a declining number of transactions being made in branches.
A spokesman said: “Customers are increasingly choosing to use digital and mobile channels for their everyday banking needs.”
Despite the closures, the banking group insist 95 per cent of Lloyds and 90 per cent of Halifax and Bank of Scotland customers will have a branch within five miles of their home.
But union Unite said more communities would be left without access to “valued local banking”.
National officer Rob MacGregor said: “Lloyds need to halt these unnecessary closures.
“Having returned to profitability, they need to stop ignoring their corporate social responsibilities.”