Thursday, 20 February 2014

MP Highlights Boost to Rural Banking with Expanded Service

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford has praised the introduction of an expanded mobile banking service for customers in the Central Buchan area following a visit to New Pitsligo today to meet with staff and see the service in action.

 (l to r): Fiona Kearney, RBS; Eilidh Whiteford MP
Moira Smith, RBS
The Royal Bank initially introduced its local mobile service in 2006 after the Clydesdale Bank closed the majority of its branches in the North-east. The service was recently expanded to include New Pitsligo and Mintlaw every Thursday.

Commenting, Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

“While a lot of banking transactions can be carried out online these days, there is still a need for a counter service for obtaining cash, paying in cheques or settling bills so I’m delighted that RBS has made this strong commitment to our rural communities by expanding this service to include more villages.

“The service is perhaps particularly important to rural businesses, cutting down time spent travelling to a bank, as well as elderly or less mobile customers who can take advantage of the fact that an RBS branch now comes to their village.”

Anne Dewar, Local CEO at RBS said:

"RBS has been running its mobile banking service in Scotland since 1946 and we have 15 mobile banks, which support 209 communities, five days a week.

“The mobile bank is important to local communities as it gives our customers another way to bank with us, in particular our elderly and vulnerable customers in rural areas of Scotland, so they can still have access to banking services. We were recently given recognition from the RNIB, who awarded RBS an Exemplar award, for our mobile banking service."

Communities in Banff & Buchan served by the RBS Mobile Bank are:

    Portsoy Every Wednesday 1.45pm to 2.15pm Main Street
    Aberchirder Every Wednesday 2.40pm to 3.10pm The Square
    Cruden Bay Every Thursday 10.15am to 10.40am Main Street
    Mintlaw Every Thursday 11.10am to 11.30am The Square
    Maud Every Thursday 11.50am to 12.10pm Station car park
    Strichen Every Thursday 12.30pm to 1.00pm High Street
    New Pitsligo Every Thursday 2.00pm to 2.20pm High Street
    Methlick Every Thursday 2.50pm to 3.15pm Car park
    Rothienorman Every Friday 9.50am to 10.20am Car park
    Fyvie Every Friday 10.35am to 11.00am Main Street