Local politicians have secured a commitment from TSB to ensure banking facilities will remain in Lanark.
Customers had faced a 30-mile round trip to Motherwell to access their nearest bank after TSB announced in December it would close 70 branches, including the one in the town's Bannatyne Street.
But this week, the firm have confirmed a pop-up branch will be introduced on a trial basis for six months due to Lanark’s "unique rural circumstances".
SNP representatives Angela Crawley MP, Màiri McAllan MSP, and Councillor Julia Marrs, met with TSB bosses to raise their concerns before a solution was reached.
Commenting, Lanark and Hamilton East MP, Ms Crawley told Lanarkshire Live : “Providing a pop-up branch in Lanark will ensure access to banking services for vulnerable customers will remain on their doorstep.
“While this is not the ideal solution which would have seen the branch remain open, I am glad TSB have listened to our concerns and have acted upon them so that their customers in Clydesdale will not be left without banking services.
“The pilot pop-up branch will become a permanent fixture if successful and I have no doubt it will be well-used by the people of Lanark.”
The pilot pop-up branch will be open in Lanark one day a week at a venue to be confirmed providing customers with a range of non-cash services.
At ‘pop-ups’, TSB advisors provide face-to-face support, including making payments, providing product information and helping customers get started with digital banking.
Closure plans meant the Lanark bank was to close in April due to a decline of use.
However, while these plans are still set, there was no commitment to introduce a pop-up branch - until subsequent meetings between the politicians and TSB reached a conclusion.
Lanark does not meet TSB’s usual criteria for a pop-up branch but concerns about Lanark’s unique circumstances including its rural location were raised and have been listened to by TSB.
Clydesdale MSP, Ms McAllan added: “I am very pleased TSB have listened to calls from myself and colleagues and have committed to this service in Lanark.
“At our meetings, I argued that the TSB service was important not just for those living in Lanark but also for people in our wider, rural communities who travel to Lanark for banking.
“Whilst it is disappointing to lose the branch, this new pilot pop-up is a significant win and I’d encourage people to use the service so it is successful and can become permanent in Clydesdale.”
And Councillor Julia Marrs, Clydesdale North, said: “The particular concerns of our rural Lanark area and access to banking services have been listened to.
"Whilst I am still disappointed to see a branch close, I am pleased that access to vital services have been protected.”
It is expected that Lanark locals will be made aware of the pilot scheme and supported through the use of pop-up banking.
However, despite not providing cash withdrawals or deposits, it will remain a vital lifeline for vulnerable people in the community who rely on face-to-face banking services.
Stuart Gray from TSB told us : "We have listened to the concerns of the local community and will introduce a pop-up, providing a face-to-face banking service for TSB customers in Lanark one day per week.
“We will be engaging customers to make them aware of the pop-up and how it can support them with their banking needs after the branch has closed.
“We will also be working with local partners to raise awareness of the pilot, doing everything we can to make it a success.”
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