The staff at Virgin Money on West Blackhall Street and the SNP representative are hosting an event in the Scottish Parliament this month to highlight local people’s struggles with online banking.
The session will also explore how politicians and banks can help people who are experiencing digital poverty through a ‘data bank’ scheme.
The ‘National Data Bank’ is an initiative by digital inclusion charity Good Things Foundation which aims provide free mobile data and calls to people who are experiencing data poverty, an issue which Grace Smith from Virgin Money team says is ‘intrinsically linked’ with digital and financial exclusion.
Grace told the Tele: “This scheme can help Virgin Money customers find jobs, do their banking, look at comparison sites for their bills and help break down their digital exclusion barriers.
“We are definitely living in an increasingly digital world, but we think it is important that customers of today and tomorrow have a channel of choice, whether they want to bank online or if they want to bank in-person, it’s definitely about making sure people have the tools readily available.”
In July 2023, the Tele reported that the West Blackhall Street Virgin Money branch would remain open after the company announced it would close 39 of its UK branches.
Grace says local customers ‘appreciate still having a branch presence’ on the Greenock high street and that the store is there to stay until 2028 as part of their acquisition with Nationwide.
Mr McMillan also highlighted the importance of still having the Virgin Money store in the area for those not as confident with online banking.
Stuart McMillan told the Tele: “Although there has been an increase in digital banking, and that is something I have welcomed as it is where the world is going, it is still very important to actually have a presence on the high street and giving people that option.
“We have got a growing older population so although there are a lot of folks who are getting involved with IT and the online presence, it’s not for everyone and you can’t force people to do it.”
In December 2024, a campaign launched by Stuart and former Inverclyde SNP MP Ronnie Cowan succeeded in getting an ATM reinstalled in Port Glasgow‘s town centre, an achievement Stuart says was important for keeping people financially included.
Stuart added: “For me it’s having that range of options for people to access finance compared to everything having to be done online.”
Stuart says a similar drop-in event he held last year in Holyrood was well attended by MSPs from different parties and that he hopes to see the same this year.
He said: “We all recognise that there are financial challenges across the country and the cost of living is hurting many, many households so what Virgin Money and specifically the Greenock branch is doing is something that will help many people.”