Aberfoyle’s bank branch is to close later this year.
The Bank of Scotland branch in Main Street will shut its doors for the final time on Tuesday, October 24, following an “in-depth review” of the facility. Bosses have deemed the branch to be surplus to requirements due to it being under-used by the community.
According to the review, just 23 customers used the branch regularly in the 12 months to January this year.
Publishing the findings of the review, the banking giant said: “The world is becoming more digital than ever before and more of our customers are doing their everyday banking online. “With more customers choosing to use digital ways to bank and manage their money, visits at this branch have fallen. As a result, we’ve made the difficult decision to close it.”
The closure means that customers will now have to travel to their nearest branch in Callander or in Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire.
Bank of Scotland says that after the closure it will have a ‘Community Banker’ visit this area for customers, which can offer support and guidance.
Stirling MSP Evelyn Tweed says that the move comes as a disappointment.
She said: “Bank of Scotland’s announcement of the closure of their Aberfoyle branch will be disappointing to many, especially during the cost-of-living crisis, where easy access to banking is even more vital.
"For those who feel less comfortable with online or telephone banking or lack the phone signal or quality of internet connection to access these services, an in-person presence of their bank is very important.
"I will contact Bank of Scotland on behalf of my constituents to enquire if the branch must close, what services will be offered to people especially those in remote areas or who are digitally excluded and what will happen to the staff that work there.”
It comes just weeks after we told how the Barclays’ branch in Stirling’s Murray Place is earmarked for closure on Friday, August 11.
