More job losses at Lloyds as two Aberdeen BoS branches set for the chop

The news come as Aberdeen politicians hit out at plans to shut two of the city’s Bank of Scotland branches controlled by still partly state-owned Lloyds.

The proposal by banking giant Bank of Scotland – owned partly by the taxpayer – will lead to the closure of the Aberdeen University and Mile End branches by April next year.

Across the wider Lloyds Banking Group, the most recent news of job cuts is understood to be part of an overall target to cut its workforce by 9,000, which was announced last October when the group also said it would be shutting 200 branches, while opening 50 more.

The latest round of redundancies will have an impact across the bank’s operations according to reports. It is believed Lloyds will seek to redeploy those affected elsewhere within the group to limit compulsory redundancies.

A spokesman said: “We are unable to comment on speculation. We would always consult with our colleagues and recognised unions prior to any announcement regarding any organisational changes.”

More than 2,300 jobs are thought to have already been cut, while the statebacked lender’s total cull is now running at around 50,000 since its state rescue of HBOS in 2008.

The job cut reports come a day after the Treasury reiterated its plans in the Autumn Statement to sell around £2billion of Lloyds shares.

The fury ignited over plans to close two Aberdeen BoS branches as bosses insisted that both sites have a “very low number” of unique customers.

But councillors and a city MSP reacted angrily and written to the organisation demanding answers.

Aberdeen central member Kevin Stewart branded the decision “bizarre”.

He said: “It seems to me that Mile End branch is very well used and although Queens Cross branch is less than a mile away, it will not be easy for older folk to walk that distance.

“Closing the Aberdeen University branch seems to be somewhat bizarre considering the amount of effort that banks seem to put into attracting student customers.

“This closure will also have a major impact on the Old Aberdeen community and in my opinion there is likely to be very few folk who will make the trek to Bridge of Don to do face to face banking there.”

Midstocket and Rosemount SNP councillor Alex Nicoll added: “The provision of banking services is key to maintaining vibrant local communities

“To suggest accessing the Post office at 489 Union Street, Aberdeen, as an alternative to the Mile End branch is clearly a decision taken by someone in a distance office who does not know the Aberdeen area.”

Hazlehead Conservative councillor Ross Thomson agreed the move could have a “real impact” on vulnerable people accessing their money.

A Bank of Scotland spokeswoman said that both branches have a very low number of unique customers.

She explained that 93 per cent of Mile End customers already use other branches and channels to do their banking, while the same applies for 88 per cent of customers at the university branch.

She added that both banks had experienced reductions in counter use of more than 30 per cent in the last 12 months.

She said: “Following our announcement in October 2014 regarding changes to our branch network, we can confirm that we will be closing six Bank of Scotland branches during April next year.

“We are currently talking to colleagues about the changes and notifying impacted customers.

“We cannot provide the full detail at this stage as our colleagues and customers need to be the first to know.”