Instead of closing branches, they could look at creative solutions such as shared branches, with several banks sharing the cost of staff and premises." "We are urging banks to consider the needs of all their customers and not leave older people out in the cold. We estimate almost half a million people over 60 don’t use the internet, with the highest numbers in the most deprived areas. The relentless push towards online or telephone banking may be convenient for many, but it doesn’t suit everyone. "Those who rely on branches most tend to be older, disadvantaged, or on low incomes, and may not find it easy to travel to the next town to do their banking. He added: "The disappearance of high street banks will inevitably lead to banking deserts and make it harder for customers to manage their money. On the impact of the move away from branch banking, Adam Stachura, head of communications and policy at Age Scotland, said the body was "appalled" at the closures, saying they "will undoubtedly hit older and vulnerable customers hardest". You can see the Scottish branches on our list with Ayr, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Orkney among the place impacted. The Mirror has compiled a list of banks that have either closed or are due to shut down in the UK this year. Orkney Kirkwall - TSB, Broad Street, closing on May 24.Aberdeen - NatWest, Union Street, closed on January 18.Aberdeen - Bank of Scotland, North Deeside Road, closing on August 14.Aberfeldy - TSB, Bank Street, closed on May 16.Dundee - HSBC, Murraygate, closing May 30.Dundee - NatWest, Courthouse Square, closed on January 10.Stirling - Barclays, Murray Place, closing on August 11.Dunfermline - Barclays, High Street, closing on August 18.Edinburgh - NatWest, George Street, closed January 24.Edinburgh - Bank of Scotland, Lawnmarket, closing July 26.Tranet - RBS, High Street, closing July 27.Kirkintilloch - Barclays, Cowgate, closing June 9.Bearsden - Bank of Scotland, Roman Road, closing July 25.Glasgow City Centre - NatWest, Blythswood Square, closed January 26.Glasgow City Centre - Virgin Money, St Vincent Place, closed February 6.Glasgow Pollokshields - Bank of Scotland, Albert Drive, closing July 27.Glasgow Pollok - TSB, Braidcraft Place, closed May 17.Johnstone - RBS, Church Street, closing on August 15.Ayr - Natwest, Miller Road, closed on January 12.Glasgow North East - which includes areas with Dennistoun, Possilpark and Sighthill - is the worst impacted part of Scotland, having lost 100 per cent of its physical banking infrastructure Bank of Scotland has shut 128 in that time. Despite being bailed out by the taxpayer, Royal Bank of Scotland has closed 160 branches in Scotland since 2015. Scotland has been particularly hard hit by bank closures.Īccording to Which?, it was the first part of the UK to close half of its branches. It is said banks take the decision to "increase their profitability and to redirect investment as customers increasingly shun physical branches and move to online banking" although some towns are getting so-called 'banking hubs' which allow some in-person transactions to take place on a limited basis. READ MORE: Is your HSBC bank closing? Full list of branches to go including those in Scotland According to the UK Government, the number of bank branches in the UK roughly halved from 1986 to 2014. There have been warnings that the move away from branches will have a massive impact on the older population. In some cases, communities are being left with no alternative options for banking in person nearby and are facing either lengthy journeys or trying to carry out their business on apps or websites. That figure includes 19 in Scotland, with dozens having already closed over the last few years. Around 460 branches have either shut or will shut across the UK this year. Scottish bank customers are being left increasingly in the lurch as branches close and people are urged to "go online".
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