Bank cuts at island branches

The Bank of Scotland (BoS) is under fire for cutting opening days and operating hours in the Western Isles.

The BoS is the only bank in Harris, North Uist and Benbecula but is reducing its service in these island communities.

Isles MP Alasdair Allan has met with councillors and community councillors in Lochmaddy and has taken the issue up with the bank’s headquarters.

Alasdair Allan commented: “Island communities depend on basic services like this to be viable and I would hope that the bank can now give some commitments that will reassure the community.”

North Harris Community Council has written to the bank opposing the reduced service at Tarbert.

Community Council spokesman John Macleod said: “They are going to close on Fridays of all days - when people want to check if their money or wages are in their account.

Mr Macleod praised the local staff but said head office was providing a “poor service. The Bank of Scotland have a lot of loyal customers in Harris and they do not deserve to be treated like this.

Mr Macleod pointed out that the branch’s ATM machine is the only external hole-in-the-wall facility on the island. Yet it frequently breaks down and repairs are undertaken on the days the bank is open. Tourists cannot get Euros or dollars exchanged inside at the bank counter so rely on the machine for sterling.

Mr Macleod said on a bank holiday weekend, it could be out of action from Thursday until Tuesday so locals people may not have any access to money for the best part of a week.

He added: “It broke down last Wednesday and I don’t know if its been fixed yet - and this in the middle of the tourist season.”

A Bank of Scotland spokesperson said: “We continually review the way in which we serve our customers.

“We are making some changes to opening hours across our branches to ensure they are open at the right times for our customers in each individual location.”

► Reduced opening hours at island bank branches

Bank cuts at island branches

3 Aug 2015