Ross-shire county town of Dingwall set to lose another bank as RBS closure date confirmed
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ANOTHER bank in Ross-shire's county town is set to close within months.
The Dingwall Royal Bank of Scotland branch will close on Wednesday, November 1, it has been revealed.
It's part of a national trend which has scene scores of branches close in recent years with financial providers citing a significant shift in banking habits and a slump in visits.
Kate Forbes MSP said: “Whilst I recognise that banking methods have significantly changed over the past decade, this is still deeply disappointing news for the town.
“Customers of all demographics must be able to access banking services, and I have sought clarification on RBS’ future plans.
“I do hope there are no job losses as a result of this closure, and I have written to ask what consultation has taken place with staff at what is an uncertain time for them as well as their families.”
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The RBS said: "The way people bank with us has changed dramatically in recent years, with an increased demand for mobile and online services as customers benefit from a faster and easier way to bank. 87 per cent of retail banking customer needs are now met digitally and 60 per cent of retail banking customers bank entirely digitally.
"Since 2019, we have seen the way in which people living in Dingwall choose to do their banking change. Now 64 per cent of customers are digitally active, and as a result, transactions have reduced by 52 per cent with only four customers now visiting the branch on a regular weekly basis.
"Many customers are choosing digital banking because it makes life easier. But we know for some people there are challenges in moving online, and we recognise our responsibility to provide them with the support and services that work for them."
The bank says it is communicating with customers affected by the closure and proactively contacting vulnerable customers and regular branch users.
Those that still need branch services will be able to use Royal Bank of Scotland in Alness, it says.
It says customer support specialists "are proactively contacting customers who use the branch to provide dedicated support". As well as helping with access to banking services, the support extends to building financial capability in areas such as fraud and scam awareness and digital capability.
A "community pop-up" will also be available after closure for customers to visit "to receive face-to-face cashless support".
The bank said: "Customers do not need to take any action and there will be no disruption to their service, but we know that vulnerable and elderly customers, and cash-based SMEs, are likely to be concerned and will often look to their local MSP for help and advice.
"We provide our customers with more ways to bank than ever before – customers can choose from a range of digital, face-to-face and local banking options."
Outlining services it will continue to offer, it outlined several.
Online and mobile: We are committed to educating customers on how to use these channels securely and simply.
Telephony: We offer a range of services over the phone, from payments and transfers to opening accounts and financial reviews. Our dedicated support line for customers who are over 60 is open 8am to 8pm seven days a week and customers can call 0800 051 4177. For added security, we can help customers set up our new voice ID feature which provides more secure, faster and easier authentication when using our automated system or speaking to one of our team.
Video Banking: Customers can connect to our Video Bankers, wherever they are. Video Bankers can speak to customers about our range of products and offer a free face-to-face Financial Health Check.
Post Office: We have a national agreement with the Post Office to provide our customers with a range of banking services. Customers can pay money in, take money out, check balances and business customers can get notes and coin. The closest Post Office is Dingwall, 0.33 miles away from the branch.
ATMs: There are several free to use cash machines in the area, with the closest being Bank of Scotland, High Street, 0.04 miles away from the branch. There are two other free to use ATMs within a 0.74-mile radius of the branch. Details of these can be found at link.co.uk/consumers/locator, by calling 03457 24 24 24, or by speaking to a member of staff.
Other Branches: Customers can continue to use any Royal Bank of Scotland branch. Our branch locators rbs.co.uk/branchlocator help customers find branches and their current opening hours. Royal Bank of Scotland Alness is the closest alternative branch.
Community Pop-Up Site: For a period up to 12 weeks following the branch closure, customers will be able to visit our pop-up site for face-to-face support on alternative ways to bank, fraud and scam awareness, and digital banking. For more information customers can speak to our branch colleagues.
The bank says it is following the Access to Banking Standard and has engaged with the FCA and LINK. It said: "We made our decision after careful consideration of a wide range of factors including changes in customer branch usage over a long period of time; how often customers are using the branch; the types of transactions they undertake; and the ways our customer can bank locally."
