A Son of the Rock

In Dumbarton when I was growing up I can remember branches in the town of the British Linen Bank, the Glasgow Savings Bank, the National and Commercial Bank (itself previously merged from the separate National and Commercial banks,) the Bank of Scotland, the Clydesdale Bank and the Royal Bank of Scotland. Possibly the Co-op ran a banking service in its main store and there would have been the Post Office Savings Bank. In addition there were various Building Societies – though some of them were run out of solicitor’s offices. This was in the days when a lot of working people didn’t have bank accounts! (If that was because they didn’t trust banks with their money it now turns out they were probably right to be wary.)

With the Lloyd’sTSB – HBOS merger that will bring the number down to three banks plus whatever Building Societies are there now.

Will depositors’ or investors’ money be safer as a result? Given recent events who can tell?

In Kirkcaldy, where I live now, the merger might mean two bank outlets – which are quite often queued out as it is – may be replaced by one. I hardly think the service will improve.

I have also noticed recently some Royal Bank poster adverts trumpeting the fact that they will be open on Saturdays. I believe one of the English banks is doing something similar. They’re making a virtue out of going back to something they ought never to have abandoned in the first place????

For, yes, in those days when I was growing up, banks opened on a Saturday – at least in the mornings.