DOORS FINALLY CLOSE ON TWO RURAL BANKS
Two rural bank branches closed their doors for the final time this week following a downturn in use in recent years.
The branches of the Bank of Scotland in Balfron and Killin were earmarked for closure by bosses in January last year.
Banking chiefs pointed to a downturn in the number of transactions in-branch and “changing customer behaviours”for the decision.
Balfron’s branch closed for the last time on Tuesday whilst Killin’s branch shut on Wednesday.
Bank of Scotland has introduced a new mobile branch service which visits both villages.
The banking giant says that the mobile branch“provides 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 bank says that in Balfron, 75 per cent of personal customers already use other branches and other ways to bank, such as online and telephone banking.
Customers will have their accounts realigned to the Station Road branch in Milngavie.
In Killin, 75 per cent of personal customers also already use other branches and other ways to bank. Customers there will have their accounts realigned to the Callander branch.
It means that customers in Balfron who need to access their branch on days outwith the mobile branch will now face a 25-mile round trip to the Milngavie branch, whilst those in Killin will have to take on a 42-mile trip to the outlet in Callander.
The closures are among 15 across the country. In addition, 31 Lloyds banks and 10 Halifax branches are also closing.
Balfron Community Council gifted a bunch of flowers to Jane McLaren, the longest serving member of staff at the branch there on the final day before the branch closed.
Following the closure, community council chairman Colin Cameron said: “We’re disappointed to see it go since the replacement being offered of mobile branch being offered every second Monday isn’t what we wanted.”
Trossachs and Teith ward councillor Martin Earl, whose ward includes the Killin branch, said:“Despite all the attempts to change their mind, the Bank of Scotland have pushed on with the closure. I had really hoped that the delay might have provided the opportunity for a rethink and an acceptance by the bank that communities like Killin are going to need local accessible services and the jobs that come with them even more than ever before as they start to rebuild their economies as restrictions are lifted.”
In January 2020 a spokesperson for the Bank of Scotland said:“We are committed to having the largest branch network in Scotland, and in addition to our branches, all our customers can use the Post Office to access their banking locally. Our mobile branches also visit many rural communities.
“We have made the difficult decision to close these branches later this year in response to changing customer behaviours and the reduced number of transactions being made in branches. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”
Both branches had been due to close last August. However, bank chiefs prioritised keeping“essential services” available to customers through the coronavirus pandemic. The closures were delayed until this month.
In February last year, villagers in Balfron launched a petition aimed at saving the branch which garnered more than 400 signatures.