The last remaining bank branches in Dunkeld and Crieff will close permanently in a blow to local residents.
The Bank of Scotland on Dunkeld’s High Street will serve its last customer on December 5 due to a rapid fall in in-person usage.
The Crieff branch will shut, on February 12, 2024, as the bank announced a cull of 21 shopfronts nationwide.
Bank of Scotland say the Galvelmore Street premises, currently open three days a week, is to shut permanently.
Branches in Cupar and Falkland in Fife were also announced for closure.
Bank of Scotland says the ATM outside the Dunkeld branch will remain.
A community banker will also visit the area on occasion and hold face-to-face appointments at a community venue during set hours.
According to its review, Bank of Scotland said there has been a 64 per cent reduction in personal customer use over the past five years.
Seventy six per cent of customers using the branch also used other Bank of Scotland branches, Internet Banking or Telephone Banking.
Only 28 per cent of its customers have “used the branch regularly” in 12 months to January 2023.
The nearest other branches are 11 miles away in Blairgowrie and 12 miles away in Pitlochry.
In Crieff affected staff are to be offered alternative roles within the company and plans are being formed to replace the branch with what has been described as a “banking hub”, although precise details have yet to be announced.
Bailie Claire McLaren, who represents the Strathtay ward, said the announcement of the Dunkeld branch’s closure was a “shock” and will cause existing customers “great concern and anxiety”.
She added: “The assumption that customers will fully switch to an internet service by Bank of Scotland will be challenging.
“Areas of Dunkeld and Birnam currently have spots with inadequate broadband speeds.
“In my response to Bank of Scotland I have highlighted this. It is hoped a mobile service or an alternative offering within Dunkeld will be provided.”
MSP for Perthshire North John Swinney believes there will be a major impact on older citizens.
He said: “This is clearly unfortunate news and will come as a big blow to local residents.
“As is so often the case with branch closures, those most acutely impacted by these decisions will be elderly and vulnerable customers, many of whom will find themselves unable to effectively use internet or mobile banking for a variety of reasons.”
Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart added: “The closure of the Bank of Scotland branch in Dunkeld is yet another devastating blow to rural Perthshire’s banking infrastructure.
“Bank closures have a disproportionate impact on rural towns like Dunkeld, where residents have much further to travel to the next nearest branch. This is especially burdensome for elderly and vulnerable customers who may not have access to internet banking.”
Both politicians are now seeking assurance from Bank of Scotland on how it will assist vulnerable customers, and to better understand its decision-making process.
