Questions still to answer over closure of Aviemore bank
With the strath’s last High Street bank set to close next month, details are still awaited about the arrival of a “community banker” in the area.
A printed farewell on the counter at Aviemore’s Bank of Scotland branch promises: “After the branch closes on June 11 we plan to have a Community Banker visit this area.
“They’ll be able to offer support and guidance on the ways you can bank with us.
“Over the coming months our branch staff will be able to let you know more about our plans for a Community Banker.”
Details are also awaited about the hopes of a dedicated ATM in Aviemore for customers who want to deposit their cash.
The closing branch review part two reminds all customers that “before we made the decision to permanently close the branch we carried out a thorough review to understand what impact a branch closure would have on both customers and the wider community”.
The review was carried out as “we observe the requirements of the Financial Conduct Authority. This means we took a range of factors into account.”
Local representatives were contacted including MP Drew Hendry, MSP Kate Forbes and local councillors. Also consulted were members of the Cairngorms Business Partnership and Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey Citizens Advice Bureau.
“A number of customers” had told the bank of their disappointment but were consulted about “other ways they can bank with
us.”
“Kate Forbes wrote to us highlighting concerns about cash availability and to request further information about our Community Banker service and we have responded.”
Customers are informed: “Your nearest branches are Inverness Longman and Inverness City.”
More details about the closure are available online at https://bankofscotland.co.uk/branchreview
