Customers deserve better
Fury as RBS closes branches but records profits
Politicians have blasted RBS bosses for pushing ahead with branch closures, despite announcing a return to profit for the first time in a decade.
The bailed-out bank revealed that 62 sites across Scotland are to close – including its Renfrew site.
But now politicians are demanding a rethink after the high street bank last week released its financial results showing it made £752million profit.
The Canal Street branch has been earmarked for close in June due to falling customer numbers but hundreds have signed a petition calling for it to be kept open.
Neil Bibby, Labour MSP for West Scotland, said: “Last week, the Royal Bank of Scotland reported a return to profits for the first time in a decade.
“However, it is clear that the benefits of these profits are not being filtered down to customers. While profits of £752 million are being boasted by the company, the CEO’s salary has topped £3 million and bonuses have rocketed, but more than 50 RBS branches around the country are still being closed, including the Renfrew branch.
“In light of these profits, people will be increasingly angry that RBS still plan to go ahead with branch closures. They should reverse these plans and keep the branches open.”
RBS chiefs say that 10 of the original 62 branches identified for closure will be reconsidered but Renfrew is not among them
Labour Councillor Bill Brown added: “The customers and staff of the Renfrew branch have been completely failed by RBS. Travelling to a different branch in a different town is simply not an option for elderly and vulnerable local people who rely on the relationship of trust with the RBS here in Renfrew. The RBS should reverse this closure proposal and give a long term guarantee to staff and customers.”
The RBS received a huge £45bn taxpayer-funded bail-out during the financial crisis in 2008 .
In the light of these profits, people will be increasingly angry that RBS still plans to go ahead with branch closures Neil Bibby