TSB has announced it plans to shut its Aberfeldy branch in May this year.
Since 2017 the TSB on Bank Street has only opened one day a week - for six hours on Tuesdays - but this decision sees the final contraction of physical banking facilities locally.
Already the RBS and Bank of Scotland branches in Aberfeldy have gone.
After May, the Perth branch of TSB will be the last of the bank’s outlets in Perth and Kinross.
The official date of closure has been given as May 16.
On hearing the news of TSB’s departure, chair of Aberfeldy Community Council Victor Clements expressed disappointment.
He said: “Last bank in town? No more options for anyone any more.
“I thought banking was supposed to be a service, built on our assets which they hold on our behalf.
“I think the bankers are taking that relationship for granted in a big way.”
MSP for Perthshire North, John Swinney, said: “This is disappointing news that will understandably be greeted with significant sadness in the local community.
“This closure decision now means that Aberfeldy will be left without any bank branches.
“Whilst technology allows many aspects of banking to be performed via telephone or the internet, we know that for some vulnerable customers this is simply not possible.
“Accordingly, I have sought further clarification from TSB over their rationale behind this decision and am keen to ensure that meaningful steps are taken to support customers in the local area who will be most acutely affected by this closure.”
The Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart added: “The closure of the TSB branch in Aberfeldy is yet another devastating blow to rural Perthshire’s banking infrastructure.
“Bank closures have a disproportionate impact on rural towns like Aberfeldy, where residents have much further to travel to the next nearest branch.”
A TSB spokesman told The PA yesterday: “The decision to close a branch is never taken lightly, but our customers are banking differently – with more using digital banking.
“We have not taken the decision to close our Aberfeldy branch lightly, but our customers are banking differently – with more using digital banking.
“Transactions at the branch have fallen by 49 per cent between November 2020 and November 2022 and there is a post office and free-to-use ATM within a mile of the branch.”
