A huge number of bank closures around here in the last few years, but escalating in the last 2-3 years. Royal Bank of Scotland, Bank of Scotland, Santander and others. We now have to either drive 8 miles west to Livingston or jump on a bus to central Edinburgh - 45 minute ride ( don’t even think about taking your car into town!)
I have probably been guilty of encouraging this trend, by taking up internet banking a good few years ago. But now, if you want to make a bigger payment or withdrawal, it seems you either have to spend hours on the phone and subject yourself to the Spanish Inquisition or go to a branch and subject yourself to the same. We recently had some roof repairs done which cost a good few thousand, and we had the money in the bank. Checked the bank website for how much were allowed to pay in a single payment - up to £25,000, it said, well more than enough - went to pay the bill online - payment refused, account locked, VERY long phone call to get account unlocked and payment made. THEN they tell us there’s a £5000 limit on any individual transaction! This had NEVER been previously advised to us by email, letter, leaflet or any other means. Of course it’s because of all these scammers about, as well as the banks now being told that they do have to reimburse customers who have lost money to scammers. But it’s hard on those of us trying to make a totally legitimate transaction with OUR money!