Amicus condemns National Australia Group 47 branch closures 

Amicus has condemned the closure of 47 branches by National Australia Bank, which owns Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank, which will result in substantial job losses and real difficulties for customers.
 
Amicus is extremely disappointed the bank has decided to withdraw banking facilities from some of the most vulnerable communities and have opposed the move, particularly where they are the 'last bank in town' branches. Eaglesham; Findochty; Neilston; Muirkirk; New Galloway; Rothes; Auchinleck; Tomintoul will all be left high and dry without access to any bank branch.
 
Amicus official Mary Alexander said: "This is a serious blow to NAG customers particularly in some remote areas. The bank has reneged on their promise not to close 'the last branch in town' in eight communities. These customers will have to travel some distances to get to a branch and for those without a car, this could prove very difficult indeed.
 
"Unfortunately, NAG have decided to go ahead with this drastic programme of closures regardless of our arguments and the pressure from MSPs and MPs to keep these branches open and we believe this cost cutting exercise will damage the future of NAG in the UK," added Mary Alexander.
 
Amicus will fight any attempt to use compulsory redundancies and will ensure that any displaced staff who wish to remain with NAG are offered suitable alternative employment.
 
The 30 branches to close in Scotland are: Annan; Auchinleck; Clarkston; Cullen; Dalbeattie; Dornoch; Dufftown; Eaglesham; Edinburgh -Morningside Road and Corstorphine; Findochty ; Fochabers; Girvan; Glasgow, Anniesland and Partick; Invergordon; Kelso; Kilbirnie; Lockerbie; Muirkirk; Nairn; Neilston; New Galloway; North Berwick; Penicuik; Port Glasgow; Rothes; Tarbert, Argyll; Tomintoul; and Whithorn.
 
The 17 branches to close in England are: Bedford; Bradford, Great Horton; Bromsgrove; Carlisle, Kingstown; Enfield; Hanley; Holmfirth; Kidderminster; Leeds, Guiseley; Lichfield; Northwich; Rugby; Stourbridge; Sutton Coldfield; Wakefield, Westgate; West Bromich; and Whitehaven.