Clydebank Municipal Bank will permanently close on 31 March 2023.
All customers should make alternative banking arrangements, move their funds and close their accounts.
While we recognise this may cause some uncertainty for customers, our employees are on hand to offer support with next steps.
Why is the bank closing?
A review of the Bank’s operations concluded that, given recent changes in regulatory requirements for anti-fraud and money laundering measures and customer due diligence, substantial financial investment would be required to ensure compliance, which would have a significant impact on the Bank’s cost model and financial sustainability.
As a result, the board decided that the Municipal Bank should cease providing banking services and close the Bank.
What if I don’t have another bank account or require financial advice?
The Council is not authorised to provide financial advice regarding alternative providers. Please contact Citizens Advice Scotland who can provide independent information and advice. Contact details for local branches is provided below, or you can visit cas.org.uk.
Alexandria Office:
- 01389 752727
- Monday – Friday: 9.30am to 3.30pm
Clydebank Office:
- 0141 4357590
- Monday – Friday: 9.30am to 3.30pm
Dumbarton Office:
- 01389 744690
- Monday – Friday: 8am to 5pm
What should account holders do now?
Customers should arrange to close their account(s) as soon as possible. We have set up a Helpline for customers to discuss withdrawal methods, answer any questions and arrange appointments to attend the bank in person.
Please call the helpline on 01389 738682 or 07557 327731 between 10am and 3pm, Monday to Friday or email municipal_bank@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Where is the Municipal Bank located?
The Municipal Bank is located at:
Clydebank Town Centre Office, 10 Sylvania Way South, Clydebank, G81 1EA
How can I withdraw my funds?
Closures up to the value of £1,000 can be made by cash or cheque.
Closures over the value of £1,000 should be made by cheque.
For cash and cheque withdrawals, please contact the Helpline in advance as at least 5 working days’ notice is required for large cash withdrawals, and 3 working days’ notice is required for cheque requests. Cheques will be made payable in the existing customer’s name only.
I have over £1,000 and want to withdraw this money, what do I need to do?
For customer safety, we recommend any withdrawals of over £1,000 are made by cheque. If you wish to withdraw in cash, contact the helpline in advance as at least five working days’ notice is required for cash withdrawals. When you visit the bank, take your account passbook, together with some identification, where you can complete a withdrawal form.
Acceptable forms of identification for your signature are:
- a driving licence
- passport
- bank card
- council tenancy agreement
- Post Office card
For your address:
- a household bill
- council tax notice
- pension
- benefit statement
I want to close my account by cheque, what do I need to do?
We request you contact the Helpline in advance as up to five working days’ notice is required for cheque withdrawals.
When you visit the bank, take your account passbook where you will be asked to sign a withdrawal form and branch staff will forward this together with your passbook to the Municipal Bank support team.
Your account will be closed as soon as the paperwork is received and a final cheque will either be sent to you by post, or you can arrange to collect it at the bank.
I currently have my salary/pension/benefit allowance paid into my account, what should I do?
The Municipal Bank is not signed up to the Industry Current Account Switch Service (ICASS), so any new account provider will not be able to make arrangements to automatically transfer such payments. This means you must make new banking arrangements and then contact your salary/pension/benefit provider, to advise them of the new bank account details. This will enable them to continue their payment to you.
I currently make weekly/monthly standing order payments for my rent/council tax/insurance from my account, what should I do?
You must make other banking arrangements, please contact the council section that you are making payments to and cancel any existing Municipal Bank payment(s). Ask them to set up a new direct debit from your nominated bank account. Please contact the Helpline on 01389 738682 or 07557 327731 for contact details.
I have lost my passbook for my account, what do I need to close the account?
You must provide two current forms of identification when closing the account.
Acceptable forms of identification for your signature are:
- a driving licence
- passport
- bank card
- council tenancy agreement
- Post Office card
Acceptable forms of identification for your address are:
- a household bill
- council tax notice
- pension
- benefit statement
My parent/relative/friend has received a letter but is unable to conduct their own affairs, how can their account be closed?
If you have Power of Attorney (POA) for your parent/relative/friend, you may be able to close the account on their behalf. Please contact the helpline on 01389 738682 or 07557 327731 for more information.
I am a signatory on a group/club/organisation account, how do we close the account?
The procedure for closing the account will be the same as for operations. If you currently require two signatures to withdraw, then this will be required to close the account. Please note if the account is closed by cheque, the cheque will be made payable to the organisation unless we receive written authority from all the holders to the contrary.
For health reasons I am unable to visit a branch in-person to close my account. What will happen?
Please contact the helpline on 01389 738682 or 07557 327731 to discuss your options.
What alternative savings organisations are available?
There are a number of banks, building societies and Post Office branches in West Dunbartonshire that offer saving accounts, including:
Bank of Scotland
133 Main Street, Alexandria
0345 721 3141
94/102 High Street, Dumbarton
0345 721 3141
Sylvania Way, Clyde Shopping Centre, Clydebank
0345 721 3141
Royal Bank of Scotland
7 High Street, Dumbarton
03457 242424
30 Sylvania Way South, Clyde Shopping Centre, Clydebank
03457 242424
TSB
29 Sylvania Way South, Clydebank, G81 1EA
0141 3979969
Nationwide
118a High Street, Dumbarton
0345 266 0939
Post Office
Please visit www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder to find local post offices that provide banking services.
There are also credit unions locally which may be available to you.