The Bank of Scotland branch in Portobello is threatened with closure in October 2024.

This is the last, remaining bank in Portobello, home to a rapidly developing population but also to many older people who have lived here for decades and who depend upon the physical presence of a local bank with helpful staff to help them negotiate the sometimes criminal, often confusing and complicated messages they receive about their bank accounts.

Our local branch staff, some of whom have been there for decades and know the customers well, are friendly, efficient and always seem to have endless patience when dealing with customers.

We live in times of online banking and seem to be heading towards a cashless society. Running a branch with staff and all of the overheads may appear to be best for profits but the Bank of Scotland has a long tradition of being at the forefront of banking, not only in Scotland but in the wider UK and world and ignoring the needs and wishes of some of their most faithful customers is not the way to maintain their standing in the world.

Profit is not everything. People matter too.

Surely there is a way to save this branch (and others where you may live) by encouraging the banks to consider the bigger picture and place value in the communities they serve.

Will you please sign and share this petition and raise enough signatures to present the Bank of Scotland with an idea of the importance of the local branch in Portobello?

Thank you!