AN MSP has met with Bank of Scotland executives to discuss his concerns about the impending closure of the last bank in North Berwick.

On June 28, the bank announced that it would close its North Berwick branch on February 19, 2025.

South Scotland MSP Craig Hoy has raised concerns about the planned closure of the bank, although the Bank of Scotland stressed that there would be no possibility of the decision being reversed.

READ MORE: Bank of Scotland announces closure of North Berwick branch

While bank bosses say that transactions have fallen 40 per cent since 2019, Mr Hoy said: “I appreciate banking habits are changing, but I am deeply disappointed that the decision to close the last bank in North Berwick has been taken.

“Access to cash for businesses and the many elderly and vulnerable residents of the town and surrounding villages is essential, and closing the Bank of Scotland branch will be a big loss.

"Community engagement is key and I urged Bank of Scotland to maintain open lines of communication with residents and stakeholders.”

The bank is working with Link to explore additional cash transaction solutions in North Berwick.

While specific details are not yet available, Mr Hoy has committed to assisting the process in any way to ensure that the solution is right for the community.

Bank of Scotland also confirmed that it had withdrawn mobile branch services around Scotland following a 90 per cent drop in service usage.

Mr Hoy called for further investigation into the scope to deliver a banking hub in North Berwick amid community fears that the Post Office - which offers some banking services - could be overwhelmed during peak periods.

He added: “The seasonality of visitors to the area means that the Post Office may be able to cope during the quiet winter months but may be unable to deal with the banking needs of tourists and visitors to the town in peak periods when it is busy.”

Mr Hoy was assured that there would be no compulsory redundancies due to the closure.

The building is owned by the bank and is expected to be put on the market next year.