An excerpt from the letter that SNP MPs Angus Robertson, Eilidh Whiteford, Callum McCaig and Stuart Donaldson have jointly written to the chief executive of the Clydesdale Bank.
“As members of parliament representing areas in the north-east, we write to object, in the strongest possible terms, to the proposed closure of Clydesdale Bank branches at Fraserburgh, Banff, Mintlaw, Aboyne, Stonehaven, North Esplanade West, Aberlour and Buckie.
“While we do appreciate the Clydesdale Bank, and others, are obliged to respond to the changing trends resulting from modern technology, we are talking here of rural areas which are not yet being fully served by the roll-out of superfast digital broadband.
“Some of these settlements also have an ageing demographic and many of your more elderly clients will not have made the transition to digital technology.
” It would therefore seem that, in terms of providing customer service, these planned closures are, at the very least, premature.
“In early reports, we have heard that there may be up to 200 job losses across Scotland due to these closures.
“Obviously, we are concerned about the impact this will have on local communities.
“We would be keen to understand what discussions you have had with staff of the branches set for closure, and what support you will give them to relocate to other branches.
“We would therefore seek a meeting with you as a matter of urgency.
“In the interim, we would also appreciate a copy of the advice which has been offered to the clients of these branches, in terms of the provision of alternative services.