Bank bosses are planning to slash opening hours at TSB branches across rural Perthshire and beyond, it has emerged.
Services in Blairgowrie, Coupar Angus, Pitlochry and Aberfeldy will be dramatically scaled back, with some outlets reduced to just one opening per week.
The area is still reeling from the shutdown of Royal Bank of Scotland branches last year.
TSB has stopped short of closing banks, saying they want to “still have a presence in the community”.
Bosses have also assured there will be no job losses as a result of the changes but they have yet to explain how the reduced hours will affect the existing workforce.
Earlier this month, it emerged that hours will be reduced at the TSB’s Dundee Lochee branch, to just three days a week.
The Carnoustie branch has also been affected but Angus South MSP Graeme Day has been given a commitment from the bank that opening hours will be restored either partially, or in full.
The TSB said it does not intend to officially tell customers about the changes until after April 20. The new hours will be introduced in July.
Branches at Coupar Angus, Pitlochry and Aberfeldy will be reduced to just one day, while Blairgowrie will be open on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays.
The move was confirmed to Perthshire politicians SNP MP Pete Wishart and MSP John Swinney, after concerns from constituents.
Mr Swinney said the change could have a “particularly negative impact on vulnerable customers and those living in rural areas”.
He added: “I am also disappointed that TSB have arrived at this decision without any form of public consultation.
“Whilst I note that there will be no job losses, I have yet to receive firm assurances regarding any potential reduction in staff hours and whether staff being asked to travel to various branches throughout the constituency will be reimbursed for travel expenses.”
Mr Swinney said he will discuss the move with senior TSB stakeholders, and “emphasise how important reliable, consistently-open branches are to my constituents.”
Mr Wishart, who chairs a parliamentary inquiry into access to financial services, said: “I am disappointed to hear of another bank deciding to cut back its presence in Perthshire.”
“I will be seeking a meeting with TSB at the earliest possible opportunity to discuss this matter. It is hugely important that our more rural towns continue to have good access the financial services.”
Highland Perthshire councillor Mike Williamson, who joined the fight to save RBS branches in Pitlochry and Aberfeldy, said: “It is regrettable that residents of Highland Perthshire will continue to see an erosion in their local banking services.
“I hope that TSB will recognise how damaging this move will be to the local community and re-consider this proposal.”
A spokesman for the bank said a presence will be retained in the towns.
“Our customers use banking services in different ways and that is why we try to adapt our offer to deliver them the best possible service however they choose to bank,” he said.
“This means investment in both branches and digital channels.”
With fewer people using some of our branches, we are reviewing the number of hours some of them open.
“We have over 150 branches across the country and 70% of people in Scotland live within two miles of a TSB branch. Our branch partners are working with our customers to support them as we make these changes and there will be no job losses as a result of these changes.”
