RBS reveals Scottish branches for the chop

The 80 per cent state-owned lender will close Capital branches at Goldenacre and Tollcross, as well as West Blackhall Street in Greenock.

It will also do away with branches in Lochinver and Lybster in the Highlands, Stromness in Orkney, and Invergordon, where RBS is the last bank in town.

All will close this year, according to an announcement from the Edinburgh-based bank which described the move as the result of a “difficult decision”.

RBS said that there were a number of reasons behind the closures, including falls in the number of transactions taking place in the branches, it said alternatives ways of using its services would be offered to customers.

In a statement, RBS said: “We are writing to all of our customers who use these branches well in advance of the closure date, and will also display posters in the branch throughout this period of time.

“We will work hard to engage with all of our customers, local businesses and the wider local community between now and the closure date to ensure they are aware of the alternative ways of accessing their banking with us in the local area, and to answer any questions they might have.”

It added: “We are committed to following the UK government protocol on branch closures, and we have made the decision following careful consideration of a wide range of factors including branch usage and the alternative ways our customers can bank with us locally.”

However, politicians have expressed concerns about the closures, Invergordon SNP councillor Maxine Smith said the closure of the town’s last bank was “very concerning”.

She said: “Not everyone has access to online banking and in areas of social deprivation, such as Invergordon, people really need to be able to have physical access to a bank without the cost and inconvenience of travelling to another town.”

Fellow councillor David Alston added: “This will be a blow to people in Invergordon and is a worrying trend if banks start to withdraw last branches from other towns in the region.”