LISTEN: Calls For RBS U-Turn On Highland Bank Closures
RBS is being urged to reverse its decision to take branches out of northern towns.
There are calls for RBS to reverse its decision to take branches out of northern towns.
The banks announced closure of several outlets across Scotland, including in Inverngordon and Lybster.
It leaves both towns with a physical branch.
This has sparked fears about local access and impact on business and tourism.
Highland Council and local MPs have contacted the bank, urging bosses to review the decision.
MFR Reporter Derek Ferguson speaks with Highland MP Paul Monaghan about the news...
Acting Highland Council Leader David Alston said: “This will be a blow to people in Invergordon and is a worrying trend if banks start to withdraw last branches from other towns in the region.
“The Highlands covers a vast area and we have dispersed and fragile communities which depend on basic services such as banking. We will be writing to RBS in the strongest terms to ask them to reconsider their decision and to clarify their policy in this regard.”
Rob Gibson SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross said: “The closures in Lochinver, Invergordon and Lybster branch of RBS come at a time of huge bonuses for RBS top brass a fraction of which would keep local branches open.
“Certainly people are changing their banking habits by going on line in some circumstances.
“However, I believe it is time for the communities across Scotland to set up local banks and give RBS and other huge banks a message that loyalty to their brands has gone.”