A CRUSADE to save Moffat’s only bank kicked up a notch last Friday as dozens of protestors picketed outside the Bank of Scotland.
Retired bank employee Evelyn Atkins, 76, organised the protest as part of her ongoing campaign to stop the closure of Moffat’s bank, which was announced at the end of January.
Dozens of fellow residents gathered on the High Street on Friday afternoon with signs and chanting ‘save our bank’, with passing drivers honking horns in support.
Evelyn was delighted to have the support of her fellow residents and said: “I was worried that nobody was going to turn out today, but I am absolutely delighted to see the amount of people that are supporting what I’m trying to do because we’re having little support from others within the town and I’m fighting this on my own for the most part.
“Today is just the start, the more that goes on the better, I’m already in contact with Age Scotland and other organisations that have said they back us going forward, so fingers crossed.”
One of the main concerns expressed by residents is that when the branch closes in November the nearest bank will be more than 20 miles away.
Community stalwart Linnhe Cringean has three accounts at the bank and believes that decision makers at Bank of Scotland haven’t considered the full impact of the closure. She said: “I don’t think it’s taking the population of Moffat into account.
“If this bank closes, and whilst we’re eternally grateful to Benmar Services for trying to fill that gap, there are certain things with the Moffat Promotions accounts and my business account that I’m going to have to travel to Dumfries to do.
“And we won’t be the only community group affected in this way, most groups in the town will have double signatories for their accounts for security purposes and if there’s changes to committee and office bearers, changing those signatories is something you can only do in at a branch, and many groups will have accounts at the Bank of Scotland simply because it was here in town and they were easy to work with.”
Reiterating their position, Bank of Scotland said: “Before we close any branch, we look at how our customers are managing their money and using the branch.
“Most customers are now using our mobile banking app, internet banking or calling us instead, which means they are using branches much less.
“We’re introducing a community banker in this area to help our customers.
“We’ll review how often customers visit our community bankers, so that the service can continue to be available for as long as needed.”
