HAVING enjoyed a glittering career in business, John Watson has earned the right to comment on how the major banks are supporting their customers in Scotland. And he doesn’t mince his words.

Mr Watson, who reflected on 50 successful years in business in a special lecture last night, is scathing about the banks’ ruthless pursuit of branch closures. His comments will no doubt chime with thousands of retail and commercial banking customers who have been inconvenienced as hundreds of branches have closed their doors for the last time over the last decade, with more closures inevitably to follow.

Mr Watson reflects the view of many customers for whom branch closures have not been compensated by the march towards digital technology. And his indignation that bank chief executives have continued to receive massive salaries, despite government bailouts and savage cuts to jobs and branches, will also have many nodding in agreement. As a successful businessman himself, Mr Watson will know that sometimes cost savings have to be made. But is it always judicious when the steps taken to save cash inconvenience the very people you are supposed to serve?

The big salaries and branch closures are not the only aspect of post-financial crash banking that bothers the entrepreneur. Despite the many bright business brains emerging in Scotland, he fears their aspirations will be stymied simply because the banks are unwilling to provide the support they need. At such a critical time for the Scottish economy, his words are especially pertinent.