During the visit, Mr Wishart met the branch team and the branch manager Anthony Nicholson to discuss the importance of face-to-face financial services on the high street. Nationwide reiterated its promise that everywhere it has a branch, it will still be there until at least 2026.

Mr Wishart also talked to the team about how branches help customers through the cost-of-living crisis and how the UK’s biggest building society helps support first time homebuyers.

He also heard about the way Nationwide is tackling scams and fraud, both in branch and remotely via the building society’s scam checker service. If Nationwide gets it wrong, the building society will fully refund the amount lost.

Branches are a vital lifeline for the whole community. Nationwide research has found that six in 10 (63%) people value their local branch, while additional research shows that four in ten (40%) value face-to-face service and more than a third (36%) say branches are useful for older people and those with vulnerabilities.

Mr Nicholson said: “We were honoured to welcome Pete Wishart MP to our branch in Perth today. It was a great opportunity for us to showcase how we’re committed to serving the town and communities across Britain. After all, Nationwide has been in Perth for 60 years now!”

“A local branch is more than just access to essential banking services, it’s a cornerstone of a thriving high street. Our research shows how important branches are, especially for people struggling with the cost of living. We’re glad to still have a strong presence on high streets around Britain – we’re here to help.”

Nationwide’s history in Perth began in 1954, when the Dunfermline Building Society first opened in the town. At the time, the average house price was just £1,863!

In July 1972 Nationwide opened a branch of its own in the town. In 2009 the Dunfermline Building Society merged with Nationwide and the branches moved together to our current branch on the High Street.