Bosses at TSB have been urged to re-think branch closures in the north and north-east amid claims customers are “paying the price” for last year’s IT meltdown.
Aberdeen Central SNP MSP Kevin Stewart has written to Debbie Crosbie, the bank’s new chief executive officer, to demand that local branches are kept open.
TSB announced in April it would be closing its Holburn Street branch in Aberdeen due to a fall in demand for its services, as well as another in Keith, Moray.
A further 18 branches in the north and north-east are due to have their opening hours slashed.
Mr Stewart warned in his letter that the move would be viewed as an attempt by the bank to recoup the estimated £400 million losses it endured last year.
Thousands of customers deserted TSB after the botched introduction of a new computer system in April left 1.9 million unable to access their own money.
Mr Stewart said: “After the mayhem caused by TSB’s computer meltdown last year, it must be made absolutely clear that customers will not pay the price again.
“TSB must not respond to the events of last year by closing more branches and cutting more staff – in effect providing even greater difficulties for the customers who stood by TSB following the IT disaster.
“Time and time again the banking sector looks to find an excuse to close local branches when we know just how vital these branches are to our communities and small businesses”
A TSB spokesman said: “We recognise the importance of branches in local communities.
“That is why we are piloting a different approach to our competitors whereby instead of closing branches with low footfall we are, wherever possible, reducing hours so that we can reduce costs to maintain a physical presence in the area.
“There are some instances, however, where we cannot sustain a branch which is why we made the difficult decision to close four branches in Scotland this year, including one in Aberdeen.”
