Moray MP secures meeting with Bank of Scotland bosses over Buckie branch closure

MORAY MP Douglas Ross says he will ensure Bank of Scotland (BoS) bosses hear “loud and clear” his “significant disappointment” that they plan to close their branch in Buckie in August this year.

Mr Ross has secured a meeting in Westminster on April 29 with Neil Moore, who handles corporate affairs for the bank to discuss the closure.

The Moray MP says this will have “deeply damaging” effects on many of the bank’s loyal customers in Buckie, particularly those who are elderly and vulnerable and those who do not have access to mobile or online banking services.

Mr Ross went on to state he is “sick and tired” of major banks abandoning customers in rural and communities in Moray and that his constituents should have access to physical branches in their own area.

He added that the BoS only need to look at the success of the recently opened banking hub in Forres to see the “clear appetite” for banking services to be readily available in Moray.

Mr Ross said: “I am pleased that the Bank of Scotland have agreed to meet with me to discuss their planned closure of their branch in Buckie.

“They will hear my concerns loud and clear during this meeting about the deeply damaging impact it will have on many loyal customers in Buckie.

“I was bitterly disappointed when I heard about the closure plans and frankly I am sick and tired of major banks abandoning areas like Moray and leaving customers without access to physical branches.

“Bank of Scotland bosses only need to look at the success of the recently opened banking hub in Forres to see how much customers appreciate having access to physical services.

“Connectivity remains a huge issue in areas in Buckie and for many elderly and vulnerable customers, online and mobile banking simply isn’t an option.

“I hope that this will be a constructive meeting and that the Bank of Scotland will rethink their plans to close their branch in Buckie.”

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