AN under-threat bank branch has a new closure date despite efforts to save it.

The RBS in Colquhoun Square will close on November 20, MSP Jackie Baillie has stated.

In April, the bank said it would close the branch on September 25 - but there was an 11th hour reprieve while it looked at regulations that require banks to maintain counter service.

The bank said it was only a delay to the eventual closure.

Cash access firm Link undertook a review of cash in Helensburgh and Lomond. They concluded that new cash access facilities were not required.

Link’s report concluded: “We are not recommending the provision of any new cash access services in Helensburgh at this time.

“This is because our assessment shows there are already cash access services and facilities within a one-mile radius which are suitable for the needs of the local area, or the deficiency does not cause a significant impact on the local area.”

READ MORE: Helensburgh RBS branch gets temporary delay to closure

Concerns have been raised for months about the impact on older residents as well as businesses who would have to travel elsewhere to do banking.

Ms Baillie said: "I was, and remain, extremely disappointed over the Royal Bank of Scotland’s decision to close its Helensburgh branch.

“I met with bosses in an effort to persuade them to retain this facility for the benefit of the community, but they were hell-bent on closure.

“It is extremely disappointing that face-to-face banking services in Helensburgh and Lomond, which has a large ageing population, have been cut to the bone in this way.”

Santander closed its branch in the town in 2019 and Kilcreggan lost its Bank of Scotland branch this year.

Helensburgh's Bank of Scotland has cut its hours as well this year.

A Royal Bank of Scotland spokesperson said: “Our customers are using digital banking more than ever before.

"Over 80% of our active current account holders now use our digital services and over 97% of accounts with us are now opened online. Nonetheless, not everyone can access digital services and many others still rely on in-person transactions.

"This is why our branch network remains important to us and these change in customer behaviour means we are providing a smaller number of better branches in locations that are more accessible to a wider range of customers and that have better technology and facilities to respond to community needs. 

"To that end, we are investing £10.5m in our network in Scotland, from 2023-24.”