Hyslop Anger at Second Bank Closure in Matter of Days
Local Linlithgow MSP Fiona Hyslop has expressed her anger at the second announcement of a bank closure in Linlithgow. Santander’s Linlithgow Branch has announced that it will close in May 2018, just a few weeks before Royal Bank of Scotland will close their branch in June
“It is extremely disappointing that news of the closure of Santander’s Linlithgow Branch in may next year has come hard on the heels of last week’s announcement that RBS will close its Linlithgow branch in June.
“I have already been contacted by constituents who feel let down by banks whose digital focus is at the expense of the face to face contact that they supposedly value and I have written to the Chief Executive of Santander Bank to express my concerns.”
“Elderly people and those with disabilities are always among those hit hardest by bank closures with those who have no choice but to visit a bank in person, often facing real access issues when they are forced to bank at post offices or with credit unions.
“I have also heard accounts of elderly customers who suffer from dementia and are simply unable to use internet or telephone backing and feel a sense of connection and safety when they visit their bank branch and recognise the faces of those helping them.
“It is high time these banks faced the customers they are neglecting and explain to their staff why their bosses feel their work in the community is redundant.”
ENDS