Four of the TSB's Highland banks are being axed – in Grantown-on-Spey, Dingwall, Wick and Nairn – as part of a major shake-up which will see 164 UK branches close
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FOUR Highland bank branches are being axed as part of TSB plans to shut 164 sites as part of a major UK shake-up that will also cost 900 jobs.
It announced its closure programme earlier this morning, but has only now confirmed that Grantown-on-Spey, Nairn, Dingwall and Wick's will all be lost, in what is sure to be a major blow for their local communities.
Nairn, Dingwall and Wick's will close next year but Grantown's, which was already shut due to the coronavirus pandemic, will not reopen its doors.
TSB said the changes had been driven by "a significant shift in customer behaviour, including a reduction in the number of customers using branches and a significant acceleration in digital adoption".
The banking giant said that branches earmarked for closure had been selected to ensure 94 per cent of TSB customers can travel in 20 minutes or less to a branch, and the new network will have an average of 17,000 customers per branch, which is lower than the UK average.
However, those justifications are likely to win few fans among rural Highland communities, who will need to make far larger journeys, or rely on sometimes spotty or slow broadband speeds for online banking.
Debbie Crosbie, Chief Executive of TSB, said: “Closing any of our branches is never an easy decision, but our customers are banking differently – with a marked shift to digital banking.
“We are reshaping our business to transform the customer experience and set us up for the future. This means having the right balance between branches on the high street and our digital platforms, enabling us to offer the very best experience for our personal and business customers across the UK.
“We remain committed to our branch network and will retain one of the largest in the UK.”
Dingwall's branch will close on June 2 next year.
Grantown's branch is already closed due to the coronavirus "and won't reopen".
Nairn's branch will close its doors on March 17 next year.
And Wick's will shut on March 16.
Robin Bulloch, Customer Banking Director at TSB, said: “Alongside these changes, we will continue to invest in our remaining branch network to offer high quality banking services, fully integrated with improved digital capability.
“We are working to ensure the transition towards digital – which is being seen right across the economy – is handled sensitively and pragmatically for our colleagues and customers. We’re taking steps to support vulnerable customers and those in rural locations.”
TSB said it was working with the Post Office to enable people to deposit and withdraw cash , for both business and personal customers, and collect coin change from pre-agreed locations.
It will also be working with G4S Cash Solutions to set up a cash collection service for its business customers.
TSB will introduce 100 mobile advisors to provide additional support to some communities across the country where branches are closing. TSB plans to work with local authorities and key community organisations to identify suitable locations for mobile advisors.
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