RBS to close 44 branches
04/04/2014
The Royal bank of Scotland is set to close 44 UK branches, with 14 of those being classed as the “last banks in town.” The closures have been announced despite the bank making a pledge in 2010 not to close its branches.
However, an RBS spokeswoman stated “the world has changed since then,” citing a 30% fall in branch transactions since the pledge was originally made.
Letting customers down
Campaigners have claimed that the bank has let customers down by going back on its pledge.
Charlotte Webster of the campaign group, Move Your Money was not surprised by the decision, as she stated: "It's no surprise to see the bank let down its customers once again by upping sticks and leaving town - even when it's promised not to do so."
She then went on to say “Banks of this scale just can't be trusted to take its customers' needs into account, even when the only reason it's still around is because of our support."
A changing industry
RBS defended themselves against these claims, arguing that the closures are a reaction to a changing industry.
An RBS spokesman said “Banking has changed significantly over the last few years as more and more of our customers are banking with us where and when it is convenient for them.”
He added: "We have to adapt to what our customers want, which is why we're investing in a range of other ways our customers can bank with us, including online and telephone banking, our mobile app, and in any one of the Post Office's 11,500 branches across the UK."
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