Anger as banks set to close
Communities in Perth and Kinross have been left reeling by more bank closures.
Lloyds Banking Group is set to close Bank of Scotland branches in Kinross on August 19, and Auchterarder on August 27, as part of widespread plans to shut 56 of its local branches across the UK.
Fifteen Bank of Scotland branches will be shut across the UK in response to “changing customer behaviour” and the move towards online and mobile banking.
The announcement is another major blow for Kinross as its TSB branch is also set to close in May and will leave both towns with no bank branches.
A Bank of Scotland spokesperson said: “We have made the difficult decision to close Kinross on August 19 and Auchterarder on August 27 due to the changing ways customers choose to bank with us, which means the branch is being used less often.
“We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause - customers can continue to bank locally by visiting the new mobile branch, or the nearby post office, which is less than half a mile from the branch.
“The nearest alternative branches are Cowdenbeath and Crieff respectively.
“Bank of Scotland is introducing a new mobile branch service which will visit both the Kinross and Auchterarder area.
“The new branch will provide a personal, face to face service to the local communities it visits, giving customers access to everyday banking services such as making deposits, withdrawing cash and paying bills.
“The new service will be in place prior to the branch closing and our experienced colleagues will be on hand to help customers with online banking and general account and product enquiries.
“We continue to make a significant investment in our branches and are committed to maintaining the largest network in Scotland.”
Roseanna Cunningham, MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire, expressed her dismay at the decision. She said: “It is very disappointing indeed to hear of these plans to close the Bank of Scotland branches in Auchterarder and Kinross.
“I want to know what this will mean for the staff at both branches.
“Whilst banking facilities are available through the post office and the Bank of Scotland will now be joining RBS in making weekly mobile bank visits, this announcement means that - with the TSB in Kinross scheduled to close in May – we are witnessing the total departure of high street banking from both towns.
“That is very sad indeed and will be felt particularly by those who still use branch banking - the very people who find it hardest to access other forms of banking or travel to more distant branches.
“Local businesses used to being able to bank their daily takings will also be severely inconvenienced.
“I will be writing to the Bank of Scotland to urge it to change its mind and, at the very least, whether arrangements can be made to leave the ATMs in place.
“There is absolutely no doubt that bank use by most people has been changing at an increasing rate but the disappearance of local availability, and, above all, personal contact, is a big loss and threatens to leave some of the most vulnerable customers behind.”
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Liz Smith added: “This is desperately worrying news, most especially for towns where there has only been one banking facility. It will undoubtedly have a detrimental impact on local businesses and many residents who live in the more remote rural areas.”
The Bank of Scotland branch in Killin, on the border of Perth and Kinross, will also close in the August.