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RBS boss tells MPs branch closures 'difficult' but necessary RBS boss tells MPs branch closures 'difficult' but necessary
(35 minutes later)
RBS chief executive Ross McEwan has told MPs he recognised that customers were angry about branch closures but they were commercially necessary.RBS chief executive Ross McEwan has told MPs he recognised that customers were angry about branch closures but they were commercially necessary.
He is appearing before Westminster's Scottish Affairs Committee to explain why the bank is closing 62 branches. He appeared before Westminster's Scottish Affairs Committee to explain why the bank was closing 62 branches.
Committee chairman Pete Wishart said RBS had suffered a loss of reputation because of its plans.Committee chairman Pete Wishart said RBS had suffered a loss of reputation because of its plans.
Mr McEwan said change was difficult and no closures were "taken lightly". Mr McEwan responded by saying that change was difficult and no closures were "taken lightly".
He added that after this phase of branch reduction, that part of the business would not be looked at again until 2020.He added that after this phase of branch reduction, that part of the business would not be looked at again until 2020.
Ahead of Mr McEwan's appearance, committee member Deidre Brock said the bank "still has plenty of questions to answer" about the planned closures. Mr McEwan said: "My view is what we have done here with the package of different ways of operating is the best way going forward, that we can keep those services going to our customers as well as moving away from physical distribution when it is just not being used."
The SNP MP also said more details were needed on RBS's plans for the reprieve of 10 branches. As well as the plan to close 62 branches, the RBS panel which gave evidence to the committee was asked about its decision to reprieve 10 other branches.
The committee was informed that eight out of the 10 were classified as the "last branch in town" and more than nine miles from the nearest RBS bank. MPs were informed that eight were classified as the "last branch in town" and more than nine miles from the nearest RBS bank.
The Melrose and Kyle branches were also included, although neither fell within the bank's criteria for remaining open. RBS said that in the Melrose case the reduction in banking services in the south of the Scotland was recognised and in the Kyle case the mobile banking van was located in the village.The Melrose and Kyle branches were also included, although neither fell within the bank's criteria for remaining open. RBS said that in the Melrose case the reduction in banking services in the south of the Scotland was recognised and in the Kyle case the mobile banking van was located in the village.
It was confirmed to the committee that the future of the 10 branches would be independently reviewed between June and August, but the final decision would be made by the bank itself.It was confirmed to the committee that the future of the 10 branches would be independently reviewed between June and August, but the final decision would be made by the bank itself.
Despite criticism that it could leave some communities without any banking facilities, Mr McEwan has defended the plans, saying the moves were in response to customer choices and also said mobile banks could play a greater role. Mr McEwan said: "We will absolutely seriously take the review comments and my view is if they come back and say, for example 'all 10 should stay open', we will leave all those 10 open.
When asked by committee chairman Mr Wishart if he recognised the anger of customers in Scotland, the banking boss said: "I do recognise that customers are very disappointed that their local branch is closing." "If they come back and say 'actually these three, because of, should' we will take that recommendation."
Asked how many of the 10 he anticipated would be open "beyond the new year", the banking boss said: "I would like to see the review, and I will wait and see that before I make a comment on that."
Mr McEwan made it clear that no other branches would be added to that review.
'Customers love our app'
Despite criticism that it could leave some communities without any banking facilities, Mr McEwan has defended the branch cloure plans, saying the moves were in response to customer choices and also said mobile banks could play a greater role.
When asked by committee chairman Mr Wishart if he recognised the anger of customers in Scotland, Mr McEwan said: "I do recognise that customers are very disappointed that their local branch is closing."
Mr McEwan said "our most loved channel is our app".Mr McEwan said "our most loved channel is our app".
RBS is not the only bank to close branches in Scotland, but its plans are the most high-profile.RBS is not the only bank to close branches in Scotland, but its plans are the most high-profile.
On Monday, disability and rural campaigners questioned if the closure plans breached equalities legislation.On Monday, disability and rural campaigners questioned if the closure plans breached equalities legislation.
Scottish Rural Action and Disability Equality Scotland have joined Scottish government minister Jeane Freeman to seek clarity on the legal status of the bank's plans to close branches across Scotland.Scottish Rural Action and Disability Equality Scotland have joined Scottish government minister Jeane Freeman to seek clarity on the legal status of the bank's plans to close branches across Scotland.
The campaigners have written to the Equality and Human Rights Commission to ask if the proposals would be in breach of the Equalities Act 2010.The campaigners have written to the Equality and Human Rights Commission to ask if the proposals would be in breach of the Equalities Act 2010.