Aviemore one of 17 Bank of Scotland branches set to be axed
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The full extent of the latest bank closures hitting branches across the UK has emerged.
It comes after the Strathy revealed earlier this week that the last remaining High Street branch in the strath is to be axed.
The Bank of Scotland branch on Aviemore's Grampian Road will close on May 21 with job losses expected.
Two of the country's biggest banking giants yesterday announced they are slashing another 63 branches, taking away services from local communities around the UK.
Barclays and Lloyds Banking Group -– owners of the Bank of Scotland – between them announced a series of closures which are due to take place later this year or early next year.
Barclays said it is shutting 10 branches, while Lloyds is closing 21 Lloyds Bank sites, 15 Halifax and 17 Bank of Scotland between September and next May.
The rapid closure of the UK's banking network comes as more and more people choose to almost exclusively use online banking, rather than visiting a branch.
Lloyds said that across its brands more than 20 million customers regularly use online banking, and that visits to the 53 branches it is shutting have dropped by an average of 55% in the last half-decade.
The worst hit branch slated for closure has seen footfall drop by 73 per cent.
Lloyds did not reveal the reduction in the least-hit site that is still closing.
Lloyds Banking Group said: "Our customers are increasingly using digital channels to manage their money, we now have over 20 million customers choosing to bank online.
"Alongside our digital and mobile banking options, we're introducing more community bankers to provide face to face banking support in communities.
"Customers can also bank with us over the phone, through the Post Office or in a banking hub.
"All colleagues at these branches will be offered a role at another branch or elsewhere in our business."
Halifax and Bank of Scotland, had announced more than 60 branch closures between them, removing sites from local communities across the country.
Banks in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are set to be closed as part of the latest cull by the banking giants.
Bank of Scotland branches being axed in addition to Aviemore:
• Cupar - The Cross - October 2
• Fort Augustus - Station Road - October 5
• Eyemouth - Manse Road - October 9
• Ballater - Bridge Street - October 11
• Duns - Market Square - October 16
• Braemar - Invercauld Road - October 17
• Ullapool - West Argyle Street - October 23
• Aberfoyle - Main Street - October 24
• Newcastleton - Douglas Square - October 31
• Dunkeld - High Street - December 5
• Falkland - High Street - December 5
• Cumnock - Townhead Street - February 12
• Crieff - Galvelmore Street - February 12
• Jedburgh - High Street - February 14
• Girvan - Dalrymple Street - February 21
• Dunbar - High Street - May 21
Barclays is closing its St Andrews branch on Market Street on September 8.
