THE Santander bank in Alloa will close in a few months as part of a UK wide shake-up announced by the company.

In total, 140 branches have been slated for closure, with the banking giant citing “changes in how customers are choosing to carry out their banking” as the reason why.

The move was described as "bitterly disappointing" by Keith Brown, MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, who says he has already approached the bank asking for the decision to be reconsidered.

The official closure date for the Alloa branch is June 6, 2019.

Addressing the potential impact of the proposed closures on customers, the company announced: “Santander will support customers of closing branches to find other ways to bank that best suit their needs, including individual help to find alternative Santander branches and access digital, telephone and Post Office banking services.”

The company claims it has consulted trade unions on the proposed changes, and, wherever possible, aims to find alternative roles for the 1,270 staff set to be affected.

Around a third of that number are likely to be redeployed elsewhere by the company.

Clacks MSP Mr Brown said: “News that the Santander branch in Alloa is to close is bitterly disappointing in what is a further blow for the Wee County after the loss of the RBS branch in Alloa just last year. I have already written asking for this decision to be reconsidered.

“There is an obvious impact of customers to consider, particularly elderly people and those with mobility issues who cannot simply travel to Stirling to visit an alternative branch. Staff also face an uncertain future as a result of this unwelcome news.

“When taxpayer-owned RBS announced its Alloa branch was to close, I called on the maximum retention of banking services in the local area and for the idea of a banking hub to be explored, and it is disappointing that the UK Government refused to back this at that time despite owning RBS on behalf of taxpayers. This unwelcome closure shows exactly why further action is needed.

“Once again, the Post Office is being touted as an alternative, despite serious concerns over its capacity as things stand and the fact that the range of services a bank branch can offer cannot be replicated by a Post Office.

“If this latest bank closure in Alloa proceeds, I hope it will convince the UK Government that further action is required to protect banking services in this area, and that they will come forward with proposals, especially as they retain such a significant stake in RBS and their failure to take any action previously.”

Alloa is not alone in facing the chop, with the bank earmarking closures in St Andrews, Kirkcaldy.

Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser added: “This is a deplorable decision by Santander. To close three branches – two in Fife and one in Alloa – is a brutal move and will leave many customers without a banking service.

“Santander is a bank that is also used by many businesses so it means they will have to look elsewhere for a suitable place to bank their money.”

Labour MSP Claire Baker also berated Santander for letting down the public.

She said: “This is yet another devastating blow to local banking and to Alloa, as yet another bank decides to close up, regardless of customer’s needs.

“Santander is just the latest in a long list of banks that have pulled out of local towns, leaving customers facing long journeys to their nearest branch or the prospect of having to switch banks.

“Many in the area may have already switched to Santander following other bank closures and will now be considering switching again. We cannot expect locals to chase banks around as they continue to flee our town centres. 

“This is also a big blow to the local economy as it will inevitably lead to job losses and will impact many of the local businesses that rely on the bank to carry out essential, and often time sensitive, transactions.

“Workers, customers and local businesses that rely on these branches will rightly be angry that it is once again they that are being let down in the pursuit of profits for shareholders.”

To find out which other branches are set to close, visit tinyurl.com/yc3nlmwg