Anger as bank plans to close 13 branches

Accusations of going back on vow to be ‘last in town’

THE Bank of Scotland is to close 13 branches north of the Border by mid-September as customers make increasing use of their online accounts for transactions.

The development came a day after the Royal Bank of Scotland confirmed they are to close several branches across Scotland, including at least one which was the ‘last bank in town’.

The banks’ announcements have been criticised by the Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland who warned last year that around 100 Scottish towns and high streets were facing local closures.

The bank, part of the Lloyds Banking Group, confirmed 13 branches in Glasgow, Paisley, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen would be shut by September 18.

Four are in Glasgow, at Duke Street, in Muirend, Glasgow Cross and Hillhead. A further seven are in Edinburgh, at Marchmont, Blackhall, Fairmilehead, St James, Holyrood, Murrayfield and Sighthill, and one is in the Torry area of Aberdeen.

The bank’s branch in Burghead, Moray, shut on May 12 and has now been replaced with a mobile branch service. A bank spokesman said: “Our focus has been on urban areas where there is another Bank of Scotland branch in close proximity.”

Colin Borland, the FSB’s head of external affairs in Scotland, said: “While we support the use of technology to provide better services, businesses need locations to deposit and withdraw cash.

“Bank branches also provide important footfall to our high streets. We urge Scotland’s big banks to revisit this decision.

“Our warning that large public and private sector bodies are pulling the rug from many local economies has come to fruition. As long as big bodies reach the conclusion that consolidating their estate is an easy way to deliver short-term paper savings – then small town Scotland will continue to lose out.”

The latest branches to go at RBS include West Blackhall Street in Greenock, Edinburgh’s Goldenacre and Tollcross and Brae in Shetland.

Also going are branches in Invergordon, Lochinver and Lybster in the Highlands and Stromness in Orkney.

RBS has previously been accused of reneging on a commitment to maintain a banking service “where we are the last bank in town”. Unite said 48 of last year’s 100 closures were classified as last banks in town. In the latest round of cuts, RBS was the last bank in Invergordon.

An RBS spokeswoman said since the ‘last bank’ commitment was made “the way our customers are banking with us has changed”.

In March, Financial Fraud Action said losses from online banking fraud rose by 48 per cent in 2014 as consumers increasingly conducted their financial affairs on the internet. The rise is due to increased use of computer malware and con-artists tricking consumers out of personal details, they said.

‘‘ While we support technology to improve services, businesses need locations to deposit/withdraw cash

ARTIST Diana de Gruyther is preparing to welcome art lovers to her cottage at the launch of a major arts festival.

Ms de Gruyther, who specialises in landscapes, can easily be found in Harlehawhill, near Canonbie, Dumfries and Galloway, thanks to a colourfully decorated cycle signpost outside.

Visitors to 18th century Kiln Cottage will find paintings under the veranda and in the studio. She is among scores of artists taking part in the Spring Fling Weekend, which will see almost 100 studios across the region opening their doors.