RBS chief executive Ross McEwan has told MPs he recognised that customers were angry about branch closures but they were commercially necessary.

He appeared before Westminster's Scottish Affairs Committee to explain why the bank was closing 62 branches.

The committee's chairman, SNP MP Pete Wishart, said RBS had suffered a loss of reputation because of its plans.

Mr McEwan responded by saying that change was difficult and no closures were "taken lightly".

He added that after this phase of branch reduction, that part of the business would not be looked at again until 2020.

• RBS boss defends bank closures
• Read more here

Unite Scotland's Lyn Turner describes it as "ludicrous" that banks do not have to consult with communities.

Currie Community Council's Allister Mackillop says: "It's all about money".

If banks are losing money, they are not interested in looking at changing how it works, such as altering opening hours, he suggests.

Prof Beevers adds that once a bank leaves a community, shoppers do too.

Currie Community Council chair Allister Mackillop says the RBS impact assessment did not take into account those living in isolation and loneliness.

"They basically said there's going to be internet access so just get on with it."

It also did not consider poor broadband or difficulty accessing online banking he explains.

Image source, bbc

Keith Dryburgh from Citizens Advice Scotland says there is no consultation with communities, it is very much a business-led assessment.

Prof Beevers says the access to banking protocol is worthless.

"In my experience there was no consultation whatsoever."

The Juniper Green branch was closed, the ATM was taken away and there is no post office, he adds.

Scottish Building Society's Paul Alexander says his organisation serves members through five branches and a network of local agents.

A local bank is needed to pay in cheques and top up cash floats he explains, and therefore closures make it difficult to maintain agent offices.

Post Offices are an insufficient alternative, he adds.

Keith Dryburgh from CAS says rural Scotland will be worst affected and he also adds 20% of consumers are not yet using online services.

There will also be an impact of businesses and charity groups due to concerns over the security of alternatives.

RBS has failed to appreciate the impact of its decision to close dozens of branches in Scotland, a report by MPs has found.

The Scottish Affairs Committee described the move as a "devastating blow" for communities affected.

It urged the bank, which is majority-owned by the taxpayer, to halt plans to axe up to 62 branches.

RBS said the closures were in response to the increasing numbers of customers using mobile and online banking.

However, the plans have attracted fierce criticism from local communities, business groups and politicians.

• RBS boss defends bank closures
• RBS boss says branch closures necessary
• Protests held over RBS branch closures
• RBS to close more than a third of branches

Image source, bbc

In December, RBS announcedit would shut a total of 62 branchesnorth of the border.

Ten of them were later given a stay of executionuntil at least the end of this year, pending a review.

Read more here.

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Juniper Green and Baberton Mains Community Council councillor Professor Cliff Beevers says: "It is obviously the elderly and the disabled in our communities that are most affected."

Prof Beevers highlights the barriers to online banking, citing his own problem of having to use a screen reader.

He highlights the other difficulties like having to remember long numbers to access online banking.

The professor says the fishmonger in Juniper Green is down 15-20% on his takings since the bank closed and this will affect the lifeblood of the community.

"There are now no banks on the A70, a main artery into Edinburgh."

Committee convener Gordon Lindhurst asks who is most affected by bank closures.

Unite Scotland's Lyn Turner says employees and communities are impacted.

Allister Mackillop of Currie Community Council says the elderly, particularly those with dementia or mobility issues, will be affected because they are not able to travel to get to their next nearest bank.

He argues the decision to close branches is short-sighted as it leaves communities with few amenities.

Image source, bbc

The Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee , externalwill now take evidence on the impact of bank closures from:

• Keith Dryburgh from Citizens Advice Scotland
• Paul Alexander from Scottish Building Society, external
• Juniper Green and Baberton Mains Community Council, external councillor Professor Cliff Beevers
• Currie Community Council, external chair Allister Mackillop
• Lyn Turner from Unite Scotland, external

Image source, Reuters

Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live on Tuesday 28 May 2018.

The Economy Committee will shortly take evidence from a range of witnesses, including CAS and Unite Scotland, on the impact of bank closures.

Image source, Getty Images

After topical questions, we have the first look at the Planning Bill.

The member’s debate sees SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor call for support for families of missing people.

Image source, Police Scotland