Independent auditors have vowed to visit all 10 communities before deciding whether to save or axe their local RBS bank branch.
Accountancy firm Johnston Carmichael was yesterday appointed to run the review of the branches – including Beauly, Castlebay, Inveraray, Kyle of Lochalsh and Tongue.
The 10 branches were granted a temporary review by RBS amid uproar at plans to shut them down alongside 52 others across Scotland.
After the announcement, Johnston Carmichael pledged to meet local customers, representatives, employees and stakeholders in all 10 communities before recommending whether or not to proceed with their closure.
The review will examine the suitability of alternative banking options in each community, assess the data used by RBS to justify the closures, and study any changes in use of branches since the closure announcement.
Its recommendations, which RBS has pledged to implement in full, are expected to be revealed by September.
However, the Unite trade union said it was disappointed that it has not been included in the list of stakeholders for the review.
Unite deputy Scottish secretary Mary Alexander added: “The auditors have stated that they will report back by September.
“This seems like a very short time frame to conduct a full assessment of all 10 branches viability given that they intend to review alternative banking options for each branch, interview customers and local representatives as well as speaking directly with the staff affected.”
Les Matheson, chief executive officer of personal and business banking at RBS, said: “We listened to customers, colleagues and elected representatives of all stakeholders and as a result we have asked Johnston Carmichael to carry out an independent review of 10 specific branches which are nearly all last banks in town and more than nine miles from the nearest Royal Bank of Scotland branch.
“I am confident that they will undertake a thorough review of these 10 branches and whatever their recommendation, the Royal Bank will accept it in full.”
Sandy Manson, chief executive officer of Johnston Carmichael, said: “Johnston Carmichael acts for many businesses and individuals throughout Scotland.
“We therefore believe we are best placed to advise the Royal Bank of Scotland on both the needs of bank customers in these communities and, based on a number of criteria, to assess the viability of each branch and make informed and objective recommendations about whether each branch should remain open or not.”
