Cllr Paul Steele, Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, has responded to the Bank of Scotland’s decision to close its Benbecula branch in July 2026.
The announcement means the Balivanich branch will shut its doors next summer, raising concerns about access to in person banking across Uist and Benbecula.
Cllr Steele said he was deeply worried about the impact on island residents.
“I’m extremely concerned by this decision, which Bank of Scotland appear to have taken with little consideration of the needs of their island customers.
“Island residents cannot simply drive to another branch.
“Patchy mobile coverage and slower broadband speeds in Uist and Benbecula mean that for many households and indeed businesses, easy access to digital banking cannot be assumed.
“We have a much higher proportion of people aged over 65 in the islands compared to the rest of Scotland.
“Closing bank branches has a disproportionate impact on older people, who tend to prefer to access in person banking services.
“I’m also concerned on the impact to staff employed in the Balivanich Branch, and the extent to which they can be offered viable redeployment opportunities within the Bank of Scotland without needing to leave the islands.
“I urge the Bank of Scotland to reconsider this decision, or to explore alternative options and partnerships to retain existing staff and secure delivery of these essential services in the community.
“I will be seeking to meet and engage with Bank of Scotland management to get further information and explore how we can secure the retention of these services locally.”
The closure adds to ongoing debate about the loss of high street banking across rural and island communities, where digital alternatives are not always a practical substitute.
For many in Benbecula and the wider Uist area, the branch provides more than routine transactions, offering face to face support that cannot easily be replaced.
