DEPUTY First Minister John Swinney has urged RBS to reconsider a "very insensitive" decision to close one of its Perthshire branches.
Mr Swinney said he was very disappointed by the bank's announcement to axe its high street branch in Alyth from November 18.
Mr Swinney, whose Perthshire North constituency includes the town, said it was a blow for residents who were still recovering from recent flooding.
He said: “I am very disappointed by the RBS decision to close its branch in Alyth, and particularly regret the timing of this announcement as the town tries to recover from very damaging flooding.
“While I recognise that people are more frequently using digital banking, I am very concerned by the reduction in access to banking services this decision represents.
“I have already made representations to RBS to change their decision as I think it is very insensitive to the needs of Alyth at this difficult time. RBS has agreed to consider fully and carefully the concerns I have raised.”
A spokesman for RBS said it had taken the "difficult decision" to close its Alyth branch in response to declining use by customers. The number of transactions carried out at the branch has fallen 15 per cent since 2011 and only 50 customers use the premises on a regular weekly basis, he said. It comes against a wider trend towards online and mobile transactions, which have tripled among RBS customers since 2010.
Customers will be able to visit the RBS branch in Blairgowrie and the nearest Post Office, both 5.5 miles from Alyth, to carry out transactions in person.
A spokesman said: "We are writing to all of our customers who use the branch, as well as displaying posters in branch to let them know of the closure. Between now and the closure date, we will engage with all of our customers, local businesses and the wider local community to make sure 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."
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