AFTER SNAPPING UP PRIME LOCATION
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attract satisfactory bids. The auction follows the sell- off of other branches, including Aberdour in Fife and Kilmacolm in Renfrewshire last year.
None are part of the 62 which were announced as under threat at the end of last year.
A Sunday Mail investigation last month found customer numbers at closure-threatened RBS branches are up to 20 times higher than those suggested by announced for closure between 2015 and 2017.
“Where we own a building and intend to exit, we initially look to sell.
“Where there is no demand for a building, we will work with local communities to transfer ownership of a building to a community for free if there is a viable business case.
“We work hard to ensure that towns and villages are not left with vacant properties on their High Streets.
“In the last three years, we have invested £ 33million in our Scottish branch network and mobile banking f leet, with a further £12million investment planned for 2018.”
MSPs are to examine how to stop the “relentless decline” of bank branches, with more than a third closing since 2010.
“Smal l businesses and consumers are being asked to speak outon the impact c l o s u r e s h av e on lo c a l communities and the economy.
Holyrood’s economy, jobs and fair work committee have launched an inquiry, calling for views from business and personal banking customers.
Convener Gordon Lindhurst MSP said: “For Scotland to lose more than a third of its banks in just seven years seems a staggering statistic.
“This inquiry will work to respond to significant public concern that the impact of closures is felt most in places where no viable alternative exists.”
The report is expected to be published in the summer.