TSB to close nine Scottish bank branches in move to digital

Nine Scottish TSB branches are to close as part of efforts to move to a better balance of digital and face-to-face services.

The company said its customers were now doing most of their banking digitally as it announced branches across the country were to close including in Stornoway, Leith and Glasgow.

The latest round of 36 closures will leave the group with 175 branches across the country, as well as other face-to-face banking services.

The first round of closures will come into force September 2024 before a further group close in May 2025.

The following are set to close in September 2024:
– Alloa x
– Bedworth
– Birmingham, Pype Hayes
– Bridlington
– Buxton
– Carmarthen, Blue Street
– Cwmbran, General Rees Square
– Dovercourt
– Edinburgh, Leith x
– Felixstowe
– Frome
– Glasgow, Cardonald x
– Glasgow, Castlemilk x
– Haddington x
– Hounslow
– Lerwick x
– Leven x
– London, Bethnal Green
– London, Clapham
– Longton
– Manchester, Middleton
– Newcastle Upon Tyne, Milvain
– Peterhead x
– Sheerness
– Stornoway x
– Torquay, St Marychurch
– Whitehaven.

The following are set to close in May 2025:
– Amble
– Aylsham
– Banff x
– Bedlington
– Bude
– Crook
– Flint
– Tenbury Wells
– Whitchurch

Speaking in response to the closures, Age Scotland’s Chief Executive, Katherine Crawford, said: “This is a disappointing move from TSB, and unfortunately is the latest in a continuous stream of banks abandoning high streets across Scotland in favour of a digital-by-default approach that does not consider the needs of all of their customers.

“Access to cash and in-person banking services are vital for many older people in Scotland. In fact, we know that 34% of over 65s prefer to bank in person.

“We also know that 31% of over 65s feel uncomfortable with the idea of online banking for a variety of reasons, including lack of trust in online services, lack of necessary IT skills and a fear of falling victim to fraud and scams.

“With branches disappearing at a rate of knots, an increasing number of communities are being left with either one local bank or facing the prospect of travelling further afield to do their banking. This is especially concerning for older people in rural and remote areas.

“We need greater growth in the network of banking hubs as an overreliance on the fragile Post Office network isn’t sustainable. Banks must take their responsibility to customers and communities seriously.”