Bank of Scotland promises extra mobile banking stops after latest closure announcements

Following last week’s news that Bank of Scotland is to close 23 more branches north of the border, the Edinburgh-based lender has pledged to introduce extra mobile services in the north and north-east of the country.

The bank confirmed last week that its latest raft of closures would include 11 more offices in Grampian and the Highlands before the end of the year.

Branches which will close are at John Street in Aberdeen, Cullen, Fochabers, Portsoy, Aberlour, New Pitsligo, Macduff, Drumnadrochit, Broadford, Lochcarron; and Inveraray.

MPs have since demanded assurances that customers will be offered a “high quality” alternative once the doors are closed for the final time.

A bank spokesman said it would add mobile stops in Aberlour, Cullen, Fochabers, Locharron, Portsoy and New Pitsligo.

Bosses blame a decline in the number of customers visiting branches for the closures and has pointed out many were already operating restricted hours.

The mobile banking service already stops at dozens of locations across the north and north east – covering 80,000 miles a year nationally.

It offers “key services” such as deposits, withdrawals and paying bills, but not certain others, such as opening accounts.

But critics say they have “little faith” that it will provide an adequate replacement as some customers get only a five minute window in which to catch the vehicle.

North-east MSP Liam Kerr said customers should be consulted over the best times for the mobile service to visit.

He has written to the bank warning people must not be reliant on cash machines which charge fees for withdrawals.