Major bank to close more Scots branches this month in huge blow to high streets
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DON'T BANK ON IT Major bank to close more Scots branches this month in huge blow to high streets
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SANTANDER chiefs have revealed that five Scottish branches will be disappearing from the high street this month.
And four more are expected to follow suit in July as more customers choose to bank online.
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A total of nine Scottish Santander branches are set to close this summer
Credit: Reuters
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It comes as more and more customers shift to online banking
Credit: EPA
Back in March, the popular banking chain revealed that it would be closing at least 95 sites across the UK.
The move, which put 750 people at risk of redundancy, comes as the industry continues to shift its focus to online and digital platforms.
Over recent years, Santander has seen a surge in their online banking, with over half of their new accounts being set up online.
And bank bosses said that cash being sent by mobile banking has also gone up by 89 per cent.
They added that the amount of business done in brick-and-mortar branches has plummeted by 61 per cent, which has reduced the need for in-person services.
This month, the first round of closures is underway, and more are expected to follow suit.
Alongside the 95 closures, other branches are having their opening hours slashed.
While others are being transformed into "counter-free" branches, where customers can still meet with staff.
Just one branch in Irvine, Ayrshire, is having it's opening hours cut down.
While the branch on Port Street in Stirling is the only one being turned into a counter-free branch.
Bank of Scotland to Close 22 Branches: A Digital Transformation
The only alternative is 'Banking Hubs', which have been launched to give customers access to cash and services, regardless of which bank they are with.
The closures come after research from consumer champion Which? found that a total of 6,161 banks and building societies branches across the UK have closed since January 2015.
This works out to an average of around 53 branches per month.
However, this is becoming increasingly concerning for older people who may not be banking online.
Santander previously said that staff were contacting their more vulnerable punters to inform them about the closures and what they can do.
The full list of Santander Scottish branches that are set to close this summer is as follows:
Peterhead - 16 June
Arbroath - 17 June
Glasgow MX - 23 June
Glasgow LDHQ - 24 June
Musselburgh - 30 June
Cumbernauld - July 7
Saltcoats - July 21
Wishaw - July 22
Hawick - July 24
A statement on the Santander website reads: "We last did a major review of our branches in 2021.
"Since then, many of our customers are choosing to use Mobile, Online and Telephone Banking more, and branches less."
What to do if your local bank branch closes
nges, they need to check whether local communities will be left without important cash services, like branches or ATMs, and fix any significant gaps.
Residents and community groups can also ask for a review of cash-access gaps, and the providers have to respond.
If big gaps are found, banks and building societies need to offer reasonable alternatives, like keeping branches or ATMs open until new ones are set up.
GROWING CONCERNS
The move has sparked concerns around older customers who may struggle with online banking.
Many are also worried about the impact the closures could have on vulnerable people with limited access to online facilities.
Charities like Age UK are campaigning to maintain some in-person banking options, with 4 million older Britons unable to manage their finances online.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: 'Physical spaces – whether a bank or building society branch, Banking Hub, or alternative suitable provision – must continue to exist so people can still carry out face-to-face tasks.
"The disappearance of face-to-face banking risks cutting a significant minority of the older population out of an essential service, making it difficult if not impossible for them to manage their money and maintain their independence.'
Solutions can include setting up banking hubs, new ATMs, or using Post Office facilities to keep cash services going.
The vast majority of banking customers are moving online and don't need a physical branch as much as before.
But any closures can be an issue for others, particularly elderly people in rural areas who don't have access to the internet.
However, if your local branch is set to close, or has recently, you have some options.
You can carry out most basic banking tasks at your nearest Post Office.
You won't be able to apply for a loan or open a new bank account at once though.
You can find your nearest Post Office branch by using the locator tool on its website.
Plus, hundreds more banking hubs are set to open to replace lost banking services following years of widespread branch closures.
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