Bank bosses have been urged to reconsider a decision to close a branch in Glasgow.
The Bank of Scotland is planning to shut the Govan branch, the last bank in the area.
The nearest Bank of Scotland Branch is almost three miles away in Cardonald.
Closing the branch has led to a campaign to save it amid fears it will hamper efforts to bring investment to an area already blighted by deprivation.
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Chris Stephens, Glasgow South West SNP MP has started a petition and has written to the bank’s top boss asking him to reconsider.
In a letter to Charlie Nunn, chief executive of Lloyds Banking Group, which owns Bank of Scotland he outlined the problems with the decision.
Stephens, said: “The closure will create significant difficulties for the local community, forcing them to travel to access essential banking services.
“This burdens those who may not have access to reliable transportation or have limited mobility.”
He said he was highlighting eh concerns of local residents, businesses, community organisations and others who are “troubled by this decision and the effects on the community”.
Stephens added: “The closure of the branch will have broader implications for the local economy.
“The absence of a bank in the area may deter potential investors and businesses from considering Govan a viable location.
“This could hinder the community’s efforts to attract new opportunities and investment, ultimately impacting on the local job market and economic growth.”
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The MP will be on the streets of Govan gathering support for the call to halt the closure, which is due to take place in January next year.
He will be at Govan Cross from 11 am on Saturday, July 29 gathering signatures.
Local organisations backed the MP’s campaign.
Mike Dailly, of Govan Law Centre, said: As a customer of Bank of Scotland since the 1980w I support my local MP’s petition.”
He asked if the Financial Conduct Authority’s consumer panel was looking at the decision in terms of equality and accessibility.
Bank of Scotland said: “The world is becoming more digital than ever before and more of our customers are doing their everyday banking online.
“With more customers choosing to use digital ways to bank and manage their money, visits at this branch have fallen. As a result, we’ve made the difficult decision to close it.”
