Moray SNP News

KEITH BANK CLOSURE A 'BITTER BLOW'

MSP CALLS FOR UK GOVERNMENT TO ACT TO SAVE RURAL BANKS 

Richard Lochhead MSP has responded to the announcement the TSB plans to close its branch in Keith in the coming months.

The closure will leave TSB customers in Keith with a 20 mile round trip to Huntly to visit their nearest branch.

A report by ‘Which?” magazine published just over a year ago indicated that Moray is one of the areas worst hit by bank closures in recent years.

Mr Lochhead has reiterated his previous calls for the UK Government to act to prevent the loss of banking services in rural communities. 

Moray’s SNP MSP said:

“TSB’s plans to close its Keith branch will come as a bitter blow to customers and local businesses, who now face a 20 mile round trip to their nearest branch.

“I’ve written to the Executive Chairman expressing my dismay at this decision and seeking an urgent meeting over the bank’s plans for its Keith branch.

“Rural communities in Moray being abandoned by the banks, which is having a big effect on those who rely on access to face-to-face banking, including businesses who are at the heart of towns like Keith.  And sadly the most vulnerable people will once again be the ones worst affected – many of whom are unable to travel to access services elsewhere.

“Moray has had more than its fair share of rural bank closures and closures at this rate cannot continue.  As I’ve said before, people in Moray need the Conservative UK Government to step up and take action to save rural banking services, before we end up with a situation where the only branches left locally are in Elgin.”