The last traditional bank in Prestwick has been accused of withdrawing from town after slashing its hours.
Bosses at the TSB are to cut operations in the Main Street to just two days per week from the end of July.
The once thriving branch will open for 14 hours across a Tuesday and Friday to provide counter services.
It follows an admission that 88 per cent of customers now use other means of banking such as the internet.
TSB chiefs said customer usage at its Prestwick branch had dropped eight per cent during the last year, leading to the decision.
“Our customers use banking services in different ways and the way they bank has and continues to change,” said the TSB’s David Godfrey.
Rise in South Ayrshire sex crimes, with some offenders as young as nine
“We know the important role branches play and therefore the days the branch is open has been selected to coincide with the times the branch is busiest,” he added.
The TSB’s decision to scale back follows the Clydesdale and Royal Bank of Scotland pulling out of town.
And banking services provided in Prestwick’s Post Office at the Cross have now become something of a lifeline.
Ayr MSP, John Scott, said the move came as a huge concern to the town.
“While digital banking has undoubtedly had an impact on branch usage, just as online shopping has affected the retail sector, the fact is that many local people and businesses still rely on having a local bank branch,” he said.
“This latest loss in Prestwick will have a serious and detrimental effect on the town.”
