TSB Mannofield Branch Closure

The TSB have announced that their Mannofield Branch in Great Western Road is to close.  This announcement has been met with surprise and disappointment by customers of the bank.  There had been so many community concerns, the Community Council wrote to the bank asking for the decision to be reversed.

At the same time, one of our local MSPs, Liam Kerr, one of our councillors, Ian Yuill and the minister at Mannofield Church, Rev Keith Blackwood were also expressing their concerns on behalf of residents.

Liam organised and chaired a "virtual" meeting held on 2nd November with two representatives of the TSB to discuss the closure.

The banks position is that the branch IS closing on 23rd June 2021, it's just a matter of how. They are having only two branches in the city - Rosehill and St Nicholas. The commercial decision has been made based on customers moving to internet banking, footfall in the branch, costs etc.

Needless to say, the community members, pointed out that their decision took no account of the Bank's community presence and that a large percentage of local residents are in an older demographic. Getting to a TSB branch could now prove very difficult for many. 

They said that they had recognised this and their intended solution was that a member of the bank would be available at a locally one day a week.  The location of the meeting place has not yet been decided.  

The bank employee would be available to offer banking and financial advice and identify "suitable products" for customers. They could set up powers of attorney, help with wills etc. The only thing they would not do is handle cash. They would be able to give customers advice and assist them get into their internet bank accounts, showing them how to become self sufficient. 

When questioned about cash transactions...their only suggestion was that current customers could access or deposit cash at the nearest Post Office.

It was pointed out to them that the closest post office - Seafield - had very limited floor space, and only two assistants.  Liam asked if the Post Office had been consulted about this and whether they had the capacity to move beyond Post Office services. The banks reps said they had been consulted and identified no problems.

The bottom line is that the bank will not change its mind. The TSB is closing. 

The Banking Standards guidance insists the decision to close any branch is a commercial decision for the bank BUT, it lays out what steps they have to take to implement the closure and the Bank are following these guidelines. 

The meeting closed with the Bank reps undertaking to keep the community members informed about the process and role of the "peripetetic" banker. 

We will publish further details as they become available/clearer