by Lucy Ashton
The building at 26 Colquhoun Square Helensburgh, currently occupied by the Bank of Scotland, has been earmarked as the site for the new Helensburgh banking hub.
Plans submitted by Cash Access UK include an external ATM to ensure 24-hour access to cash for the community.
While a lease agreement has yet to be signed, signage applications have been lodged with Argyll and Bute Council.
The transition comes as the town prepares for the closure of its final high street bank on 5 March 2026.
Town resident Carole Spencer asked: “I wonder if they will be able to deal with more detailed enquiries or whether people will have to go to Dumbarton or online?”
Carole Spencer replied: “It is only withdrawals and deposit pay ins unfortunately , most Banks are now opting for Online Banking, but there is an option to call them via telephone for enquiries.
“That’ll make life difficult for anyone that requires an extra signature on an account.
“It’s a sad day that more and more banks are disappearing from our High Streets.”
She added: “The one in Alexandria has specific days for different banks. As far as I know.
“If there’s a day you can speak to someone from your own bank hopefully they should be able to help with everything.”
Trevor Mahoney remarked: “So a Share bank. wwe have some in County Durham and my bank is only there on a Friday.
“The banks take it in turns to open on certain days of the week.”
The end of banking branches beckons. And with it the end of cash too.
Oh how the populace for the mist part look forward to the cashless society where absolutely every payment transaction is tracked and where the system and the government has absolute control of what and if you can spend.
Already peoples bank accounts can be shut down, restricted and suspended. This will increase of course.
But no need to worry. Big business and indeed government have your interest at heart. Benevolent, honest and truthful they are there to help
And so, the quicker cash gets squeezed out of the system the better. Indeed, as many are aware the over 60s are now capped to being able to take no more than £500 with their cash card in one go, and no more than £1.200 in a week.
You can’t retire and need to work until you are 67 years of age but the over 60 cash restrictions are for your own good. Nice that the banks and government are looking after us so tenderly.