Fife RBS branches to close doors

THE ROYAL Bank of Scotland has confirmed two of its Fife branches are to close, prompting dismay from politicians.

Public banking facilities in Markinch and Thornton will close in September after the bank said low customer numbers made the premises financially unviable.

Although the company said there will be no job losses as a result of the two closures, concerns have been expressed about the impact on residents.

Markinch councillor John Beare said the closure would be a huge blow to the community.

“Several members of the local community have expressed to me their surprise and disappointment at the closure of the branch in Markinch and I share that disappointment,” he said.

“While I appreciate that the RBS claim that only eight customers use the branch on a regular basis, from my own vantage point, the usage would appear to be in excess of that.”

He added: “While I understand that many of us now use online banking and smartphone apps to use banking services, my concern is those for whom access to digital banking is a difficulty, particularly the older members of the community and for those who don’t have regular access to personal transport to branches elsewhere.”

The bank confirmed the closures were due to low customers numbers, with just 19 regularly using the Thornton branch and just eight banking at Markinch. All operations will be moved to the Glenrothes branch and there will be no job losses, RBS has stated.

The bank also confirmed both premises are to be sold off and are actively looking for potential buyers.

MSP Tricia Marwick said: “I’m extremely disappointed with this decision. I’ve spoken to RBS and expressed my disappointment. I’ve had reassurances staff will be transferred to Glenrothes.” Glenrothes Central and Thornton councillor Ian Sloan said: “It’s very sad news that people in Thornton will lose faceto-face banking. It’s an important resource for local people and I would hope that the RBS would reconsider the decision.”

An RBS spokesman said closing the branches had been a “difficult” decision but that the whole branch network had experienced a 30% drop in branch transactions over the past four years.