Banks have closed more than one third of Scottish branches

Scotland has lost more than a third of its bank branches since 2015.

Which? found banks shut 396 Scottish branches between January 2015 and August 2019, reducing the number from 1,039 to 643.

The 38% reduction reflects an “alarming rate” of closures, the consumer organisation said, warning many Scots are struggling to access their banks.

RBS was found to have closed the highest number of Scottish branches at 158 – 63% of its total number – shutting during the past four-and-a-half years.

It was followed by Bank of Scotland, which closed 94 branches (32%).

Clydesdale shut 59 branches (47%), TSB closed 39 (21%) and 36 Santander branches were lost (44%).

The most affected areas, by Westminster constituency, were Edinburgh East, which lost 11 branches, equivalent to almost twothirds (61%) of its network, with Moray losing 16 (59%).

The closures come amid a rise in online banking. But with an estimated 30% of people not using online services, Which? said banks should ensure those who rely on face-to-face banking can access it.

Money editor at Which? Jenny Ross said: “Banks are closing their branches at an alarming rate in Scotland, which risks shutting many people out of vital financial services and their ability to access their own cash.

“Bank branches play a crucial role in communities – serving consumers and businesses.

“The industry must ensure no-one is left behind by the digital transition and that when banks shut their doors they don’t shut their customers out of important banking services.”

The research looked at branches that remain open and found “severely curtailed opening times”

Older customers rely on banks