TSB defends Keith pull-out
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead and SNP Councillor Theresa Coull have met the TSB’s branch distribution director for Scotland over plans to axe its Keith branch - which would leave the townspeople with just one remaining bank.
Mr Lochhead arranged the Monday meeting with the TSB's Carol Anderson after the bank announced plans to pull out of Keith in July and reduce its opening hours in Forres.
The SNP representatives made the case for the Keith branch to remain open. However, TSB’s director would not be moved, saying the bank has no plans to reverse its decision. Reduced footfall is the reason being given for the closure.
According to Which? magazine, Moray is the rural area worst hit by bank closures in Scotland, having lost 15 bank branches since 2015.
Mr Lochhead said: "Plans to close the TSB branch in Keith have come as a blow to the local community and will leave the town with just one remaining bank. Whilst I was pleased that the bank met with us in Keith to discuss their plans, it is hugely disappointing that they feel unable to reconsider the decision to close the local branch.
"As we’ve seen with other bank closures, customers moving online and the changing way in which people choose to do their banking has led to banks taking the decision to close local high-street branches. There are few places that have felt these closures as hard as we have here in Moray and I know that many of the TSB’s customers in Keith will be deeply disappointed to lose their local branch in July.
"Rural communities in Moray are being abandoned by the banks and, sadly, it is the most vulnerable people in our communities who are worst affected, many of whom are unable to travel to access services elsewhere.
"Moray has had more than its fair share of rural bank closures - and closures at this rate cannot continue. We cannot end up with a situation where the only branches left locally are in Elgin.
"The banks need to step up and find a way to protect banking services in our rural communities, whether that be by finding a way to make community banking hubs work or some alternative solution. If the banks continue to do nothing, then the Conservative UK Government must act to ensure people in communities like Keith continue to have access to the vital services they need."
Keith and Cullen councillor Mrs Coull said: “The plans to close the Keith branch in July is hugely disappointing for TSB customers and the wider community. Many of their customers are not able to use internet banking or to travel to access their services.
"They need access to their local branch.
"Vulnerable folk and businesses depend on having a local branch in the town and TSB customers shouldn’t be put in a position of having to move banks.
"We used to have five banks in Keith and - with TSB pulling out - we’re going to be left with just one left. This isn’t acceptable and the banks shouldn’t be allowed to abandon our rural communities at the rate they have."
A TSB spokesman said: “Our customers use banking services in different ways and the way they bank has and continues to change. That is why we try to adapt our offer with our customers and remain focused on offering brilliant service, however a customer chooses to bank.
"Unfortunately, in Keith our branch is no longer financially viable due to lower footfall. Overall there has been a 7% decrease in the number of customers using the Keith branch on a year ago - and we have had to make the difficult decision to close the branch in July.
"There won’t be any job losses as a result of this closure.
"60% of our Keith customers use at least another TSB branch, and 73% of our Keith customers use online, mobile or telephone banking to access TSB banking services. The local Post Office is on the same high street, and is open on a Saturday and the closest TSB branch our Buckie branch.
"We have written to customers to let them know about Keith’s closure and we have published an impact assessment in branch and online that details the reasons for the closure and the options available for customers. We will also proactively reach out to those most vulnerable to the closure. Our focus is now on ensuring that our customers, especially the elderly and those most vulnerable to branch closures, receive the assistance they need to continue to access TSB banking services and we will be proactively reaching out to ensure they receive the assistance they need to continue to access TSB banking services.
"Our partners in branch will also be on hand to discuss alternative ways to bank and help people find out how to get to their nearest TSB branch or Post Office, providing practical help such as maps and bus routes. Our branch partners have received extra training to help the TSB customers most vulnerable to changes in our branch network."
