At the start of September, I visited the TSB’s branch in Buckie at the invitation of the bank to hear more about how it is supporting its customers and the local community.
My thanks go to local Branch Manager, Emma Stewart and Head of Government Affairs for the TSB, Andrew McIntyre, who talked me through the innovative approach the bank has taken in a number of areas, including:
- Making all TBS branches ‘safe spaces’ for domestic abuse survivors; supporting customers and colleagues escape potentially life-threatening situations with an ‘Emergency Flee Fund’ – which customers can access on the phone, video banking or in branch.
- TSB being the first and only bank to have voluntarily refunded all innocent victims of fraud and then successfully campaigned for industry-wide mandated refund model.
- Helping more than 7,600 first-time buyers get onto the property ladder last year.
- Being the only high-street bank accredited with the Good Business Charter, which recognises businesses that meet the standards expected by the public, including contributing a fair share of taxes; ensuring employees receive the living wage; and paying suppliers promptly; as well as encouraging employee representation; driving diversity and inclusion; and supporting the drive to net zero.
The TSB has over 32,000 customers in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East and it was very useful to hear how the bank is supporting people locally through a number of initiatives.
Clearly, the banking sector has changed markedly over the past few years with many people doing online banking, but the branch at Buckie was busy and the staff there knew their customers. Those sorts of relationships have, I am sure, helped shape the services which the bank offers to customers in need, from victims of fraudsters to those suffering domestic abuse.
Emma and her team in Buckie are to be commended for the work they do in supporting their customers and I wish them well going forward.
Photograph attached shows (l to r): Andrew McIntyre, Head of Government Affairs, TSB; Emma Stewart, Branch Manager, TSB; and Seamus Logan MP.
