Bank of Scotland to stop mobile banking services

Communities across Scotland will no longer receive mobile banking services as Bank of Scotland announced they will be axed.

The bank has put low usage of the service at the heart of the problem, with as few as two customers in some locations.

Changes will come into force in May 2024 and areas affected include Aberdeenshire, Angus, Berwickshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Inverness, Moray, Northumberland, Perthshire, Stirlingshire and Sutherland.

The mobile routes were offered in communities where local branches were shut - the banking group say community bankers will be introduced in some areas to continue to provide support.

Politicians have asked to meet with bank bosses to urgently discuss the changes, including Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross who says he's "extremely disappointed" with the decision.

The MP for Moray said: "We have seen many branch closures across Moray and many parts of Scotland and in most cases, the bank have offered to provide a mobile banking service by some way of compensation for the loss of a branch.

"To now see these mobile services removed it's extremely disappointing. I've already heard from local people who are already concerned.

"I know the bank will say they've seen a falling number of people using these services but for those who continue to use them, tend to be elderly and vulnerable people, that is an important service for them in their local community."

A Bank of Scotland spokesperson said: “Customers have been using our mobile branches much less over time and some locations now have as little as two customers using the service.

"We’ll be introducing more Community Bankers, alongside the other options customers already have for their banking including the Post Office, online, our mobile apps, phone banking, video services and web chat. All colleagues will continue in roles across our business.”

A full list of closures has been published on their website.