Brian Whittle MSP wants to make sure that Royal Bank of Scotland customers who have been affected by the recent branch closures understand the alternative options available to them and how to get in touch with RBS for advice.
Following the recent round of branch closures, the South Scotland MSP has been in touch with RBS management to see what can be done to ensure customers have all the help they need to deal with the changes.
Among the services the MSP is keen to highlight are the provision of mobile branches; where it’s possible to conduct most day to day banking activities. The route for the local mobile bank branch can be found at https://personal.rbs.co.uk/personal/ways-to-bank/mobile-branch/ayr.html The Royal Bank of Scotland also have local TechXperts who can offer help with digital skills and Community Bankers. Community Bankers work in areas affected by branch closures, particularly rural areas. They are available as a first point of contact to any individual or group in a community who are looking for help or advice about their finances. The bank has also introduced a new Video Banking service which can be accessed on a mobile phone or tablet.
Last year, Brian brought one of the Bank’s new local TechXperts to a meeting of Age Concern’s Girvan lunch club, giving the members the chance to ask questions about online banking and learn about fraud prevention. Now the MSP wants more community groups across the region to get in touch with the Royal Bank if they’d like a similar visit.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“While I remain opposed to the closure of local branches, it’s important that customers know what support is available to them if a branch does close. While RBS customers can now use any Post Office for basic banking services like deposits & withdrawals, it’s important to highlight what other options are available.
It’s clear from my conversations with the Royal Bank of Scotland that they are keen to hear from customers about how new mobile branch routes and other alternative banking services are working, so they can make improvements as needed. I hope people in towns like Mauchline, Girvan and Cumnock will take the opportunity to give feedback.
I’ve put some more information about options open to Royal Bank customers on my website – www.brianwhitte.org.uk, including contact information for the local Community Banker.
If you have specific issues you would like to raise with the Royal Bank of Scotland, you can contact me by phone – 01563 544399 or by e-mail at [email protected] and I’ll do my best to help.”
Arlene McCrorie, Local CEO, Ayrshire & Borders from Royal Bank of Scotland said:
“We are committed to ensuring our customers are able to continue accessing quality banking services. There is a whole range of ways of banking with us from digital, to face-to-face options, including; Mobile and Online Banking, telephone banking, video banking, Community Bankers, our mobile bank branches, and services provided in the Post Office. I would encourage any customer looking for help with accessing any of these services to get in touch with us, either in your closing branch where we remain open for six months to help you adjust; through our Community Banker; or indeed, through telephone banking”.