Moray has been one of the areas devastated most by rural bank closures over the last 10 years.
A decade ago the sight of a Bank of Scotland, Clydesdale or Bank of Scotland in towns and even villages was common in the region.
Today, with just two exceptions, they are almost exclusively restricted to Elgin.
For more than a century banks were ever-present for farming, fishing and retail industries across Moray – until the closures started to come.
The wave of branches shutting their doors has changed high streets forever.
Some buildings have been filled by thriving businesses that are making a difference in communities. Some are still waiting for their new custodians.
The Press and Journal has looked at every Moray building where there has been a bank closure in the last 10 years to see what has happened to it.
How Forres High Street has changed after bank closures
Forres is the second biggest town in Moray behind Elgin and was left without any banks at all after the Bank of Scotland closed in 2022.
Ten years ago it had four branches with TSB, Clydesdale and Royal Bank of Scotland also having shut up shop since.
However, businesses have been stepping in to fill the gaps and the town is also home to a new service to bring banks back to the town.
Clydesdale
The former Clydesdale bank was in the heart of Forres High Street near the Tolbooth and Mercat Cross.
It had been empty since the branch shut in 2015, but was revived earlier this year as a new “banking hub” operated by the Post Office.
The scheme involves a representative from a different bank attending on a different day each week.
TSB
The TSB brank closed in Forres in 2022 but has since been converted into a fitness studio.
Royal Bank of Scotland
It has been nearly seven years since Royal Bank of Scotland closed in Forres in October 2017.
The building has been empty ever since but is now brightened up every summer with flower baskets from Forres in Bloom.
Bank of Scotland
Bank of Scotland was the last to close in Forres in 2022, and the grand 19th Century building has been empty ever since.
No plans have been submitted for the building since the bank closed.
Big changes at former Lossiemouth banks
Both of the former banks in Lossiemouth have found new purposes since the closures on the Moray coast.
Bank of Scotland
When Bank of Scotland announced in 2018 it would be closing its Lossiemouth site, it sparked concerns about losing the last branch in town.
Plans were approved in 2020 to convert the unit into what is now The Food Vault, which is a Mediterranean grill and burger restaurant.
Royal Bank of Scotland
The Royal Bank of Scotland had a prominent site overlooking the town’s harbour, which would once have been full of fishing boats.
The branch shut in 2015 and the building is now home to Stewart Lyon Financial Services.
Vacant Buckie banks
Buckie is one of the few Moray communities outside Elgin still to have a bank following closures over the last decade.
TSB still serves customers at Cluny Square after Clydesdale, Royal Bank of Scotland and Bank of Scotland have all pulled out in the last 10 years with Nationwide also closing shortly before.
Royal Bank of Scotland
The Royal Bank of Scotland closed in Buckie in 2017 and was reopened as Artisan Giftware for several years. However, it is now vacant again.
Bank of Scotland
The Bank of Scotland in Buckie only closed in August and the building has been placed on the market for sale.
Clydesdale
The former Clydesdale bank in Buckie has, however, found a new custodian with the building now a busy Subway sandwich shop.
Keith banks in with the bricks
Keith also has one bank still trading in the town with Virgin Money on Mid Street, fittingly on the corner with Bankers Lane.
Royal Bank of Scotland
When Royal Bank of Scotland removed their signage in Keith it revealed stonework bearing the name of the firm.
Bank of Scotland
With its prominent A96 location, the Bank of Scotland in Keith has arguably been the most visible former bank in Moray after its closure in 2019.
Work is currently underway to subdivide the ground floor into two separate retail units.
TSB
Cash worries in Cullen
When the Bank of Scotland closed in Cullen in 2016 it sparked worries about access to cash machines.
The popular tourist town was chosen by ATM operator Link to receive a free-to-access hole in the wall in 2021 due to the worries.
Dufftown and Aberlour bank closures
There are no banks at all now in Moray communities on Speyside following closures in Dufftown and Aberlour.
Royal Bank of Scotland in Dufftown
Clydesdale in Aberlour
Bank of Scotland in Aberlour
New homes in Fochabers and Burghead banks
Former banks in both Fochabers and Burghead have now become family homes, or are in the process of becoming one.
Bank of Scotland in Fochabers
Bank of Scotland in Burghead
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