BANKING IN TOWNS

That this House is alarmed at the number of branches that banks are closing across Scotland and the UK as a whole in small towns; is concerned at the number of towns being left without a bank; is disappointed that the Royal Bank of Scotland has abandoned its commitment to maintain a banking service where it is the last bank in town; notes that the apparent retreat from towns can be seen by other major banks such as Barclays, Bank of Scotland and Clydesdale Bank; understands that whilst alternatives are offered to customers, such as mobile, telephone and internet banking, there is and cannot be, any substitute for a town having its own banking facility within the community; considers this to be an important matter of financial inclusion; acknowledges that West Kilbride is the most recent victim of bank closures in towns; is aware that those who suffer most when banks close are the elderly and local businesses who rely on their local bank; and calls on the Government to work with the banking sector to ensure that there is no further erosion of banking branches in towns.