The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Bank access concerns as TSB set to shut raft of branches in north
High street bank TSB is to close 36 branches across the country, with a number of sites in the north and north-east affected.
Branches in Lerwick, Peterhead and Stornoway will close in September this year, while the TSB in Banff will shut in May 2025.
Founded in 2013, the firm said it was closing branches as part of efforts to move to a better balance of digital and face-to-face services.
The bank said that its customers were now doing most of their banking services online.
A spokesman for TSB said: “The decision to close a branch is never taken lightly, but our customers are now doing most of their banking digitally and we need to move to a better balance of digital and faceto-face services.
“We remain committed to a national branch network and through innovation and integration with video, telephone, digital, branch and other face-to-face services, TSB customers have more ways to bank with us than ever.
“In Stornoway and Lerwick we will introduce pop-up services, which will be available three days per week to support customers with their banking needs.”
Charity Age Scotland hit out over the closures.
A spokesman said: “This is a disappointing move from TSB and unfortunately is the latest in a continuous stream of banks abandoning high streets across Scotland in favour of a digital-by-default approach that does not consider the needs of all of their customers.
“Access to cash and inperson banking services are vital for many older people in Scotland. We know that 34% of over-65s prefer to bank in person.
“We also know that 31% of over-65s feel uncomfortable with the idea of online banking for a variety of reasons, including lack of trust in online services, lack of necessary IT skills and a fear of falling victim to fraud and scams.
“With branches disappearing at a rate of knots, an increasing number of communities are being left with either one local bank or facing the prospect of travelling further afield to do their banking.
“This is especially concerning for older people in rural and remote areas.
“We need greater growth in the network of banking hubs as an over-reliance on the fragile Post Office network isn’t sustainable. Banks must take their responsibility to customers and communities seriously.”
Politicians in Shetland were particularly vocal about the closure of the Lerwick branch.
Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston said TSB’s decision “adds to a worrying trend” of banks prioritising digital services over face-to-face accessibility.
“This neglects the needs of many, particularly older, customers who rely on traditional banking. We know that over-65s often prefer face-to-face banking and some are uncomfortable with online banking due to trust issues, lack of IT skills and fear of fraud,” he said.
“As branches disappear, those living in our rural areas and on our islands are often left with limited or no alternative for their banking needs.
“The banking sector and government must do more to work to keep branches open or, if that is not possible, promote the establishment of banking hubs to meet the needs of those who need a face-toface service.”
Shetland MSP Beatrice Wishart, of the Liberal Democrats, said internet banking was “only as good as digital connectivity”.
“This will be disappointing to TSB Shetland customers, especially those not able to access the nearest branch in Inverness,” she said.
“We are told that most banking can be done without a branch but sometimes there is no alternative.
“Internet banking is only as good as digital connectivity and this feels like a backwards step.
“I understand that there will be support from TSB to help those switch away from face-to-face banking and a pop-up service to be provided somewhere in the community three days a week after the September branch closure.”