Bank bosses are refusing to bow to growing pressure from campaigners over the fate of a Highland Perthshire branch.
Scores of protesters staged a demonstration outside the RBS in Pitlochry. The outlet is one of several local banks being axed as part of a widespread closure programme.
Protesters argue that the Pitlochry branch is particularly busy with tourists during the holiday season. They want RBS to keep the Atholl Road outlet open at least during the summer months, so that officials can get a clearer picture of its popularity before making a final decision.
Wednesday’s protest attracted politicians from all sides, with several candidates for the upcoming Highland by-election.
The demo was organised by independent councillor Xander McDade.
He said: “Our local branch is not just used by the hundreds of businesses, thousands of locals, but also by the hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit our area every year.
“Many businesses will have no alternative but to change to another bank, as RBS customers will have no longer have access to a night safe, which is vital for daily deposits as required by their insurance.”
Mr McDade added: “We’re not asking a lot from RBS, all we want is the same six month reprieve that has been given to ten of the other branches in Scotland, so that we can prove how busy our branch actually is over the summer season and how critical having a branch in Highland Perthshire is to our rural economy.
“We’re seeking a meeting with RBS management to request this short stay of execution.”
Hopes had been raised after RBS agreed a stay of execution for its under-threat Comrie branch.
However, RBS is refusing to rethink its plan for Pitlochry.
A spokeswoman said: “More and more of our customers are choosing to do their everyday banking online or on mobile.
“Since 2012, we have seen the way in which people use Royal Bank of Scotland Pitlochry branch change dramatically, with now 88% of customers already banking in other ways locally.”
She added: “Transactions in RBS Pitlochry branch have reduced by 31% since 2012 with now only 40 customers visiting the branch on a weekly basis. 57% of customers are now choosing to bank digitally with us on a regular basis instead.
“The decision to close branches is a difficult one and we understand this change can be hard for some customers. We are fully focussed on engaging with our customers and communities before these branches close to ensure they can fully understand all of the ways they can bank with us”.
SNP MP Pete Wishart, who attended the protest, said: “Whilst RBS have agreed to look again at some of the proposed branch closures, they are still intent on leaving Highland Perthshire without a branch.
“This is totally unacceptable and I completely understand and share the local communities’ frustrations.”
He said: “The Scottish Affairs Committee, which I chair, is conducting an inquiry into these branch closures and I will be questioning RBS CEO Ross McEwan in the next few weeks about these plans and the damage that they will do to our rural communities.”
