Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Liz Smith has signalled her disappointment at news from RBS that the Comrie branch will not be kept open.
Johnston Carmichael, Scotland’s largest independent firm of Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, carried out a review into ten branches across Scotland which have been earmarked for closure at the end of the year.
Today the firm has published its report, which recommends that Comrie is closed despite local people in the area campaigning to keep the branch open.
The bank has assured customers that they will implement whatever is recommended by Johnston Carmichael “in full.”
Liz Smith MSP said:
“This is very disappointing news but not altogether unexpected. Ultimately, this move is bad for retail customers and businesses, and the loss of this branch will hit the local community hard.
“It is important that RBS maintain their commitment to the ATM as use of this service has increased substantially according to the Johnston Carmichael report.
“The statistics from the Johnston Carmichael report show that a significant number of bank branch users are younger customers between the age of 18 and 29 which goes against everything we have heard about the profile of branch users.
“In failing to see either the business or human case for maintaining a branch in Comrie, RBS have shown a real lack of foresight and I believe this decision could be one they regret.”