A review is to be carried out to resolve the potential cash crisis facing people in Dalbeattie thanks to the appeals of MSP Finlay Carson.
The local MSP contacted LINK to raise the plight of the local community following the announcement of the closure of the Bank of Scotland branch in Castle Douglas.
His initial request to establish banking hub in Dalbeattie was originally rejected on the grounds of population size and business numbers.
Yet the green light was previously given in Kirkcudbright as part of a pilot scheme.
Earlier this month the Galloway and West Dumfries MSP formally wrote to LINK requesting a reassessment of a banking hub in the town of Dalbeattie.
Mr Carson said: “On the closure of the bank branch in Dalbeattie, many customers were left with no option but to transfer to the Bank of Scotland in Castle Douglas which has recently announced closure – distance is seven miles from town to town.”
The Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP was aware that the new FCA’s cash access rules, which came into force on 18 September 2024 “explicitly” consider rural communities by establishing a three mile threshold for access to cash services in rural areas as well as ensuring 95% of people in the Dalbeattie area have a service within that distance.
He explained: “My constituents rightly raise concerns surrounding the availability in Dalbeattie to access reasonable services for cash deposit and withdrawal services and I have sought their agreement to review the situation.
“The closure of the Bank of Scotland branch in Castle Douglas will only add further significant impact on the rural communities I represent, including the most vulnerable residents and businesses which rely heavily on a local service.”
In a response, LINK has now confirmed it has reviewed his request and “are happy to say it’s moving forward.”
A spokesperson admitted it will now carry out a “deeper” review and work out what services are missing while suggesting reasonable solutions.
LINK has up to 12 weeks to complete the assessment before reaching an outcome.
Mr Carson said: “This is a crucial step – hopefully moving forward – and I am delighted that I was able to discover the change in the rules in order that Dalbeattie may now qualify for a banking hub.
“I am sure this news will be welcomed by the local community as I have already received a lot of communications from worried constituents regarding their future financial dealings.”
