Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser is asking bosses at the TSB to have a rethink after they announced they are to cut opening hours at branches across Highland Perthshire.
The politician, who represents the Mid Scotland and Fife region, has expressed concerns following the move which will see the bank’s branches in Aberfeldy and Pitlochry only open on one day per week from the end of July.
Both branches currently open four days a week.
TSB has stated that they are reducing the opening hours due to a drop in customer footfall, citing statistics which show that the footfall at the Aberfeldy branch is down 12% up to the end of March this year, compared to corresponding figures in 2018, and Pitlochry’s is down by 27% during the same period.
The bank has also said that more than 80% of customers at both branches either use another branch of the TSB or the bank’s telephone or online facilities to access TSB banking services.
Mr Fraser said he found the announcement from the TSB “very disappointing” and has called on the management of the bank to consider their actions.
“I’m very concerned that the TSB has decided to reduce their bank services in Aberfeldy and Pitlochry,” he said.
“This will have a huge impact on the customers who use the TSB in these Highland Perthshire towns.
“I would urge the TSB to have a rethink on this decision.”
He added: “The irony is that some RBS customers may have switched to the TSB after the former closed branches in Perthshire, and now this happens.”
TSB have said that if a customer requires bank access when the Aberfeldy branch is closed, the nearest branch available is in Crieff. Likewise, if a customer requires bank access when the Pitlochry branch is closed, the nearest bank is in Blairgowrie.