Murdo Fraser MSP has today spoken with Tony Prestedge the Chief Operating Officer of Nationwide Building Society to seek assurances on the future of employees within the Dunfermline Building Society, following the announcement earlier this week that the Dunfermline brand would be disappearing and the operation absorbed within Nationwide.
The MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife used this opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the future plans of the branch network.
Mr Prestedge advised that out of the 240 people employed at the head office in Dunfermline there were likely to be 40 redundancies, but there would also be a recruitment of an additional 100 workers to bring the total compliment to 300.
With regards to the branch network discussions are on-going about the future of the 40 Nationwide branches and 32 Dunfermline branches across Scotland. There will be a programme of rationalisation which will involve some job losses but no decisions have been taken as yet. Final decisions are due be taken by November this year.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said
“I welcomed this opportunity to speak directly with the Chief Operating Officer of Nationwide to better understand the changes they are implementing and the impact on the workforce in Fife and across Scotland.
“Whilst it is disappointing that there will be job losses in both head office and in branches it was nevertheless encouraging to hear that overall employment in Dunfermline will be increasing.
“I have asked to be kept informed as to future developments.”