Branches of the Bank of Scotland in Alexandria and Helensburgh are to close, the banking giant has announced, leaving both towns with no permanent bank branches.
The branches are just two of 14 branches that will close between this coming May and March 2026.
The branches are earmarked for closure in March 2026.
Bank of Scotland is part of the Lloyds Banking Group. In addition to the 14 Bank of Scotland braches, 61 Lloyds and 61 Halifax branches will also close.
A spokeswoman for Lloyds Banking Group said: “Over 20 million customers are using our apps for on-demand access to their money and customers have more choice and flexibility than ever for their day-to-day banking.
“Alongside our apps, customers can also use telephone banking, visit a community banker or use any Halifax, Lloyds or Bank of Scotland branch, giving access to many more branches.
“Customers can also do their everyday banking at over 11,000 branches of the Post Office or in a banking hub.”
Both branches are expected to close by early March 2026.
The move has been described by Dumbarton’s MSP as a disappointment.
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Labour MSP Jackie Baillie has hit out at the move, saying: “I’m very disappointed that the Bank of Scotland has taken this decision.
“I’m clear that banks should be accountable to their customers and that people must be able to access counter banking services.
“There is a need for bank branches in our communities, whether the banking industry likes it or not.
“It is not always feasible to phone call centres and wait in queues or to go online.
“I will be challenging the Bank of Scotland on this unfathomable decision, particularly given that I have had recent correspondence with them over intended branch closures and no indication of this was given.”
Alexandria’s Bank of Scotland will close on March 2, 2026. The Helensburgh counter will pull down the shutters for the last time on March 5, 2026.
The town will also be left without branch services following the closure of the Colquhoun Square branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland in November last year.
Industry specialists Link Group – who survey access to cash and ATMs in the public interest – have ruled that new banking hubs will be required both in Alexandria and Helensburgh, due to the planned closures causing a “significant impact”.
The agency, which works with the banking sector, government and regulators, found that there would be a “gap” in cash access services in the affected towns and ordered provision of banking hubs with an ATM, to ensure access to cash deposit and withdrawal services.
Ms Baillie added: “I welcome Link’s report and the plan to introduce banking hubs in Alexandria and Helensburgh. I know there will be local organisations that will work to make these a success and I will do everything I can to support them.”