STEP UPAND SAVE OUR BANK BRANCH
MP calls on UK Government to stop planned RBS axe
13.01.2018 A Renfrewshire politician has called on the UK Government to intervene to prevent the planned closure of Renfrew’s Royal Bank of Scotland branch.
SNP MP Gavin Newlands also claimed banking bosses are putting profits before the needs of customers as they look to shut 62 branches across the country.
The UK Government remains a major shareholder in the bank and Mr Newlands, who represents Paisley and Renfrewshire North, says it needs to do more to prevent the proposed axing.
He said: “Banks like the Royal Bank of Scotland are callously ignoring the interest of their customers and the communities that they serve.
“This is not good enough and is, in fact, completely unacceptable when we recognise that it was the everyday taxpayer who bailed out the big banks.
“RBS are ignoring the fact that the Renfrew bank is a thriving busy branch, valued immensely by the local community, which only a few short months ago was deemed important enough for a costly refurbishment.
“RBS is ignoring the fact that local businesses rely on this branch and that it’s a vital service for those with a disability as well as older people.
“Following my disappointing and ultimately unproductive meeting with RBS bosses last month, it was clear that they have little interest in being transparent about how busy the branch actually is and are ignoring the fact that the Paisley branch is not a viable option for many of their customers.
“The Tory UK Government – as the major RBS shareholder – should intervene and save the Renfrew branch.
“All it takes is political will. However, it seems that the Tories are beholden to the banking bosses rather than standing up for the people of Renfrew.”
“A spokesperson for RBS said: “Since 2012 we have seen the way in which people use the Royal Bank of Scotland Renfrew branch change dramatically, with now 90 per cent of customers already banking in other ways locally.
“Transactions in Royal Bank of Scotland Renfrew branch have reduced by 39 per cent since 2012 with now only 89 customers visiting the branch on a weekly basis. 60 per cent of customers are now choosing to bank digitally with us on a regular basis instead.
“We are communicating with our customers affected by the closure and proactively contacting vulnerable customers and regular branch users.
“We have extended the time between announcing our decision and the branch closure to six months; this has been done so we can ensure our customers have enough time to consider the right banking options and to give us time to support them one-to-one during the transition.”