RBS is to keep 10 closure-threatened branches open until at least the end of the year.

The bank said the use of the branches would be reviewed by independent research over that period.

If the study finds that there is greater usage of a branch, its future will be subject of a further review.

The branches are Biggar, Beauly, Castlebay on Barra, Comrie, Douglas in South Lanarkshire, Gretna, Inveraray, Melrose, Kyle of Lochalsh and Tongue.

Fifty-two other branches across Scotland still face the threat of closure.

RBS said it had "listened and engaged with customers, communities and elected representatives from all parties" and would provide an additional support package for customers across Scotland.

Read more here.

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Pete Cheema of the Scottish Grocers Federation says the impact of bank branch closures has been devastating.

Mr Cheema talks about the extra cost this has incurred his members and the threat to security.

He says the closures have taken the basic fundamental rights of a business to do banking away from businesses.

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Ferhan Ashiq from Prestonpans Community Council says bank closures and the new ATM charges coming in, with Post Office closures happening as well, will have a negative effect holistically.

Mr Ashiq says his local RBS closed down and this led to a "painful transition".

He says he now has to go to Musselburgh or Tranent and he says the queues at those RBS branches are "horrendous".

The overall impact is potentially devastating, he concludes.

Convener Gordon Lindhurst asks how bank closures have affected the witnesses.

Tim McCormack, who lives in Coldstream, says two of his businesses have been affected by the closure of branches and the removal of cash machines.

Profits dropped overnight, he says.

Mr McCormack says he has also had to let staff go and now has to work 60 hours a week in order to be able to pay loans.

Members of the Unite union have held protests against plans to shut more than 60 RBS branches in Scotland.

It comes on the day the bank announced ithas made its first annual profit for a decade.

It made an operating profit of £752m. Chief executive Ross McEwan told the BBC it was "a really symbolic moment."

In December, RBS said it would shut a total of 62 branches north of the border, with the loss of about 158 jobs.

Earlier this month, 10 of those closure-threatened branches were given a stay of execution when the bank said they would remain open until at least the end of the year.

Read more.

Image source, bbc

Committee convener Gordon Lindhurst introduces this morning's panel:

• Pete Cheema of the Scottish Grocers Federation, external
• Tim McCormack, owner of a small newsagent in Coldstream
• Ferhan Ashiq from Prestonpans Community Council, external
• Barry McCulloch from FSB Scotland, external
• Phil Prentice of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, external

The Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee will kick off shortly, with just one item on the agenda today: bank closures.

Official figures indicate the number of bank branches in Scotland reduced by a third between 2010 and 2017.

The committee announced an inquiry into the issue in March.

Read the written submissions, external and today's papers, external for further information.

Welcome to Holyrood Live this morning, Tuesday 23 April 2018.

We begin this week with the Economy Committee as it takes evidence on the impact of bank closures.

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After topical questions on CalMac disruptions and the early retirement of doctors, the Scottish government will lead a debate on its National Plan for Gaelic.

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The members' debate praises the Show Some Heart, the Jayden Orr Campaign which was launched after the tragic death of 10 year old Jayden when ice skating.