In 2006 RBS New Deer branch was saved from closure by the local community. Opening hours were reduced but the service remained on reduced hours for individual customers and businesses in the area.

This week, RBS (NatWest) announced the closure of the New Deer branch with no warning or consultation with customers. It will also result in job losses.

The two days a week that the New Deer branch is open is essential for personal and business customers in the village. New Deer has a church, cafe, shops, takeaway, pub and and a thriving community who rely on the services provided by RBS in New Deer. The nearest RBS bank is Fraserburgh which is 15 miles away or Inverurie (19 miles away) so it quite a trip for any customers who cannot use Internet banking or who have businesses and regularly need to deposit cash at their local branch.

The nearest large town is Ellon, where there used to be 4 banks, but the RBS bank there closed along with Clydesdale Bank, the TSB and now the Bank of Scotland is threatened with closure. There is nowhere nearby for customers to go for banking services.

Please sigh this petition to save the New Deer RBS branch and keep the current opening hours. It will make such a difference the the local community.