The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) will be closing 18 branches this year - one fifth of its overall branches in Scotland.

The move is set to put over 100 jobs at risk and will cut the number of bank branches in the country down from 86 to just 68. The bank, which is now part of the Natwest Group said the decision to close more branches was due to declining use by customers.

It noted that digital banking is being used "more than ever before" with over 80% of active current account holders using digital services. Alongside this, more than 97% of its retail accounts are opened over the internet.

In a statement, the banking group said it was now going to prioritise digital banking services going forward as part of a "network refresh". RBS said the group was investing £10.5million in its network across Scotland across 2023/24 as well as continuing to invest in shared solutions like the Post Office and banking hubs.

Closures set for this September include three branches in Edinburgh, three in Glasgow, as well as Bathgate, East Kilbride, Helensburgh, Largs, Aberdeen, New Deer and Helensburgh. However, RBS has plans to create a new flagship branch out of the two branches closing in Inverness. Alongside its announcement, RBS promises there will be no further closures before 2026.

An RBS spokesperson said: "While we are increasingly engaging our customers digitally, our branch network remains important to us. We are also significantly investing in refreshing our network – we are investing £10.5million in our network across Scotland, from 2023-24, as well as continuing to invest in shared solutions like the Post Office and banking hubs. Our customers appreciate the speed and convenience of digital banking for everyday transactions, and often, when it comes to making bigger, more complex decisions they value speaking to our skilled and experienced colleagues."

Here is a full list of the Royal Bank of Scotland branches that are earmarked for closure:

  • Aberdeen St. Nicholas
  • Bathgate
  • Cumbernauld Tay Walk
  • Dundee Kingsway Circus
  • East Kilbride
  • Edinburgh Bruntsfield
  • Edinburgh Leith
  • Edinburgh Nicolson Street
  • Glasgow Cardonald
  • Glasgow Charing Cross West
  • Glasgow Rutherglen West
  • Helensburgh
  • Inverness Chief Office
  • Inverness Eastgate
  • Largs
  • New Deer
  • Newbridge
  • Wishaw