Meeting to find out why banks are shutting

The Scottish Parliament will host a meeting today to scrutinise the closures of banks in the northeast.

More than a third of Scotland’s banks have closed since 2010 and now Parliament’s economy, jobs and fair work committee will meet with local businesses and customers who can “speak out” about the effect it has had on them.

They will meet this afternoon in Mintlaw.

In figures released by the Office of National Statistics, the northeast – alongside Moray, Dumfries and Galloway and Falkirk – has lost at least 20% of its banks.

The Royal Bank of

“The decision to close branches is a difficult one”

Scotland (RBS), which last year unveiled plans to close 62 branches in Scotland, including those in Turriff and Banff, suggested customers were moving to online alternatives over brick and mortar banks.

A spokesman said: “More and more of our customers are choosing to do their everyday banking online or on mobile.

“The decision to close branches is a difficult one and we understand this change can be hard for some customers.”

The Press and Journal launched the Save Our Banks campaign to put pressure on RBS to rethink the move.

Clydesdale also shut branches across the north-east last year, including banks in Mintlaw, Fraserburgh, Aboyne, Stonehaven and Aberdeen.

Ahead of their visit, locals were asked to submit written comments and questions to the committee.

A report is set to be published in the summer.