TSB have announced that their Rosyth branch is set to shut as part of a wave of closures across Scotland.

The bank on Queensferry Road will close on March 25 next year.

This will now mean that the nearest TSB for customers will be on East Port in Dunfermline.

The Cowdenbeath bank has also been selected to close and will do so on April 20.

A statement said: "We’ve looked carefully at our Rosyth branch at 4 Queens Buildings and how it is used, and we’ve taken the decision to close it.

"The way customers bank with us is rapidly evolving with the vast majority of everyday transactions now being done digitally."

The bank said that 88 per cent of their personal customers and 81 per cent of their business customers at the Rosyth branch were using another branch or means of banking instead.

It is one of 73 across Scotland set to go as part of a three-year strategy which will see around 300 jobs affected.

Robin Bulloch, customer banking director at TSB, said: “These decisions are the most difficult we take, but we must always be guided by our customers – and we are clearly witnessing a substantial shift towards digital banking.

“We operate a more extensive branch network than most other banks in Scotland, including some much larger than TSB, and we need to reduce its size to reflect the changing needs of our customers and a fast-evolving operational environment.

“TSB remains committed to offering high quality banking services in branches across Scotland. We are also introducing mobile advisers to ensure we look after vulnerable customers and those in rural locations.

“We are working to ensure the transition towards digital – which is being seen right across the economy – is handled sensitively and pragmatically for our colleagues and customers.”

The decision to close both the Rosyth and Cowdenbeath branches has caused outrage from local politicians with concerns raised for customers and staff.

Cowdenbeath MSP Annabelle Ewing, whose constituency includes Rosyth, said: "The announcement from the TSB that they intend to shut their Rosyth Branch, leaving this town of over 13,000 people without a single branch is very bad news indeed.

“This is a blow which comes on top of the recent loss – albeit, hopefully, temporarily – of one of the town’s Post Office branch, so reducing customer options even further.

“The impact of the global pandemic has doubtless hastened this decision, but we have been witnessing the death of high street banking for some time.  This list of closures from TSB is massive and will significantly reduce the TSB’s visibility across the country.

“My immediate concern is for the staff at the Rosyth branch.  With the TSB - and all other banks – closing branches left, right and centre, it will not be an easy job for them to secure a transfer to another branch and I want to know what plans the TSB have to support their staff at this very worrying time.

“I have also written to TSB asking for a breakdown of their customer numbers so that I can get a clear picture of the background to this decision and to press for the retention, at the very least, of the ATM machine.

“I know that the changing way in which the majority of us access banking services has changed massively in recent times but it is groups like the elderly and those on low income who will lose out once more.

“Those customers who, for a variety of reasons, are unable to use remote means of banking - and who are least likely to be able to travel easily to alternative branches  - will be hardest hit by this closure.”

Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Alexander Stewart is "deeply concerned" by the move.

He commented: “This cull by the TSB includes myriad closures not only with Rosyth in my region but right across Fife as a whole.

"I am deeply concerned at this announcement, as whilst we all understand that the way people are banking is changing, having access to a branch on our doorstep is absolutely vital, especially for those in rural communities with poor broadband/mobile signal.

"Notwithstanding this, the elderly and vulnerable, especially in current climate will be extremely worried if they are unable to access banking facilities where they live.

"Many do not - or are not interested in - electronic banking and they look forward to regular visits to their branch and the social interaction that this brings, especially if they live alone.

"I shall be making very strong representations to the TSB regarding this and I look forward to hearing from my many constituents who may be affected by this raft of closures."

Fellow Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Dean Lockhart said the closures in Fife are a "deplorable decision" by TSB.

He said: "To close branches across Fife, leaving only a couple remaining, will be of huge concern for many constituents and it is completely unacceptable.

"It is yet another blow for towns such as Kirkcaldy who has seen the departure of Santander in recent months and will not help the high-street which is already suffering with store closures and lack of footfall which predates the pandemic.

"There are now even fewer reasons for people to come into the town centre, and I genuinely worry that more bad news could be on the way unless more is done to encourage people into town.

"It is clear that the way in which we use banks has changed considerably in recent years, and I can understand the rationale behind closing a branch if no-one is using it- particularly with the decrease in demand due to the pandemic.

"However, there are still a lot of vulnerable people out there who don’t use internet or telephone banking and need to have that face-to-face contact. These people already struggle with leaving the house due to fear of the coronavirus and now risk being cut off altogether."