Frustration as mobile bank pulled out of two rural Stirling villages

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Bank of Scotland customers living in rural villages in the Stirling area will see mobile banking provisions removed.The banking giant this week confirmed that the mobile services in Balfron and Killin will be withdrawn from next May.It comes after the Bank of Scotland shut its branches in the two villages in March 2021.The bank announced the planned closures back in January 2020, but revealed that provisions in both villages would be maintained through the mobile branch.In March 2021, the bank said that the mobile branch “provides a personal, face-to-face service to the local communities it visits, giving customers access to everyday banking services such as making deposits, withdrawing cash and paying bills.”Stirling MSP Evelyn Tweed said this week the nearest Bank of Scotland branch for residents of Balfron is a 25-mile round trip to Milngavie and 42-mile round trip to Callander for those in Killin.

She added: “Lloyds Banking Group – the owners of Bank of Scotland – reported billions in profits earlier in the year. These profits are being made off the back of cutting services which are having a disproportionate impact on those living in rural areas, elderly people and those facing digital exclusion.“It‘s important that people have access to their money, especially during the cost-of-living crisis.

Although I understand that many people now use online banking, this remains inaccessible to many people, and banks have a duty to meet these customers’ needs.“In the face of such large profits, closing down a route that sees regular use does not seem justifiable.“When branches are closed, promises are made that mobile services will still provide much needed in person support to those who cannot travel to the nearest.