FOUR banks in the Borders will close their doors by February of next year.

Bank of Scotland will see its branches in Duns, Jedburgh, Newcastleton, and Eyemouth close between October of this year and February 2024 after finding that more of its customers are "doing their everyday banking online".

In its reports on each of the Borders branches set to close, Bank of Scotland – which operates under the Lloyds Banking Group – 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."

According to figures from Bank of Scotland, all four banks have experienced a drop in customers coming into branch to complete transactions in the last five years – between 40 and 52 per cent fewer in-branch transactions up to January 2023 compared to 2018.

However, at branches with an outside cash machine, there has been a smaller decrease in the number of transactions, with 29 per cent fewer transactions in Duns, seven per cent fewer in Eyemouth, and five per cent fewer in Jedburgh.

Borders MP John Lamont said: "This is worrying news for people in the Borders who need to use local bank services in-person.

"These closures will make life harder for many residents in Duns, Eyemouth, Jedburgh and Newcastleton.

"I have requested an urgent meeting with Lloyds Bank and I will be strongly insisting that they reverse this decision.

"It is unacceptable to leave so many loyal customers without access to cash. Banks must treat Borders residents better."

The majority of customers at all four branches are aged between 55 and 74, but more than 70 per cent of customers have used branches other than their local, used online banking tools or used telephone banking.

The closures will be as follows:

Eyemouth – October 9

Duns – October 16

Newcastleton – October 31

Jedburgh – February 14, 2024

Bank of Scotland has advised that customers utilise other nearby branches in Hawick, Kelso, Berwick-upon-Tweed, and Langholm, and local Post Offices.

Jedburgh has also been earmarked as a possible banking hub by Link – the UK’s Cash Access and ATM network.

According to Link, banking hubs are open to customers of all high street banks, and are operated through the Post Office with banking staff from the various chains visiting on a rotational basis.

Bank of Scotland added: "We’re still here to support you and there’s a number of ways you can do your everyday banking with us – online, on your mobile, over the phone or at a Post Office.

"After the branch closes we’ll have a Community Banker visit this area.

"They can offer support and guidance on the ways you can bank with us."

For more information on the reasons behind the closures, as well as details on your nearest branch following the closures, click here.