MSP disappointed over TSB's refusal to reverse decision on Tain branch closure
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Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant, said today that it was disappointing – but not unexpected – that the TSB bank will not be reversing its decision to close its Tain branch in June.
Mrs Grant wrote to the company in the light of the Clydesdale bank saying that its Dingwall branch had been given a stay of execution due to the Coronavirus crisis.
The TSB told the MSP: “We have not taken the decision lightly having reviewed a range of factors on the viability of the branch and in ensuring that we are able to continue to support our customers in Tain to bank with us after the closure.
“I appreciate your concerns on the impact this will have on the local community, particularly given the ongoing Coronavirus crisis which has seen an even lower level of footfall in the branch and an uplift in customers registering for online and mobile banking.”
Mrs Grant said: “It is such a pity that banks will not invest in local communities, especially at a time when people will probably be staying local much more and for the foreseeable future.
“As both Governments keep telling us, conquering Coronavirus will be a marathon and not a sprint and I was hoping that banks could see some worth in keeping staff and customers in smaller areas.”
TSB said it was contacting customers to help them use other banking options, including telephone and digital and working with the Post Office to ensure there was still access to banking services.
The bank added: “We’re also supporting personal and business banking customers impacted by Coronavirus through additional lending and loan repayment holidays and we remain the only bank to offer customers a Fraud Refund Guarantee, which protects innocent customers against all types of transactional fraud loss.”
