Moray MP Douglas Ross says the current problems for people in Forres in accessing cash show the “recklessness” of banks abandoning the town.
Douglas and his office in the town have been contacted by concerned constituents after ATM machines in the town are once again out of order.
ATM machines at both the Co-Op and McColl's in the High Street are out of order this morning, having also been inaccessible over the weekend.
The only option for people to get cash are at the Tesco store and over the counter at the Post Office.
However, this presented significant issues over the weekend when the Post Office was closed.
Douglas has said this shows the “perilous” situations that can suddenly arise when people are not able to access direct banking services from branches on their doorstep. The Bank of Scotland closed their doors and ATM machine earlier this month, meaning Forres now has no bank.
He added that the struggles of people getting cash this week only strengthen his desire to bring a banking hub to the town as soon as possible in order to guarantee people would have a central point where they can carry out banking activities.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “I have been contacted by several concerned constituents over these ATM machines breaking down once again after also being out of action at the weekend.
“It shows that there is not only still significant demand for accessing cash easily in a community like Forres, but also the recklessness of bank branches abandoning Forres. The Bank Of Scotland were just the latest example of a major bank showing contempt for their loyal customers.
“This will leave many elderly and vulnerable customers scrambling to get cash if there are continued problems with ATM machines on the High Street.
“This is why banking services must be easily accessible for people in l communities like the ones I represent across Moray, including in Forres.
“News of these ATM machines being out of order has only strengthened my desire to bring a banking hub to Forres as quickly as possible. A town the size of Forres should not be left without a bank branch and these ATM machines unexpectedly being inaccessible, shows the perilous situations that can arise as a result.
“I will continue to raise these concerns with all of the relevant parties in order to make a pilot banking hub a reality and give loyal customers who have been so badly let down by branches the confidence that they will once again be able to carry out banking activities in Forres.
“In the meantime I hope these ATM machines are fixed as quickly as possible.”