Commenting on the announcement that Lloyds TSB bank branches in Scotland will eventually go under the Bank of Scotland banner if HBOS is taken over, Tavish Scott, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Scotland said:

“This branding announcement is just an attempt to disguise the impact of the takeover. I cannot see how towns that have a Lloyds and HBOS branch will be able to keep both branches open.

“This is the first confirmation that there will be widespread job losses across Scotland. Branches will close, damaging competition, which hits account holders and small businesses hard in the wallet.”