Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell has expressed outraged following confirmation from RBS bosses that they will not reconsider their decision to close the bank’s Lochmaben Branch. The news comes following Mr Mundell’s meeting in late June with representatives of the RBS Group at their Gogarburn Headquarters in Edinburgh, where the MP raised serious concerns about the impact of the decision on customers, local residents and the town. A Senior Executive has now written to the MP to restate the bank’s original case for closing the branch and communicate their intention to press ahead with the closure on the existing timetable.
The decision has left the local MP furious and he believes the bank’s failure to consider the concerns of the local community is unforgivable. He has also questioned the bank’s motives, arguing that the decision has been based on a calculated assumption that the majority of the branch’s existing customers will simply transfer their business to RBS branches in Dumfries and Lockerbie. Mr Mundell believes that this will disadvantage the bank’s most vulnerable customers who rely on day-to-day in-branch services to continue living independently. He also believes that losing the bank is not in the wider interests of the town and is one of the worst examples of bankers putting profits before the needs of local communities.
Mr Mundell is also increasingly concerned at the lack of transparency and assurance being given by RBS over the future of cash machine services in the town and the banks plans for the current building.
Commenting, Mr Mundell said: “It has become clear that RBS are hell-bent on closing the branch and have shown zero interest in listening to what local residents and their customers have to say. RBS are quite happy to tell us they are a community focused bank but unfortunately in my experience when it comes to the needs of the people of Lochmaben they could not be less interested. In particular, the haste and manner in which the banks bosses have brushed off concerns about the needs of elderly and vulnerable customers is truly insulting and astonishing.
“Given RBS’s lack of interest in the town, people are understandably still concerned about their assurances on cash machine services and the future of the building. It is therefore vital that the bank start a dialogue with their customers, local residents and the Community Council to make sure that the best possible alternatives are put in place and I will continue to make that case to their Chief Executive.”