Give a man a gun and he will rob a bank; give a man a bank, and he will rob everyone.

So I can imagine the conversation at the board meeting of NatWest, owners of the Royal Bank of Scotland, when they decided to close another clutch of branches, including the one in Largs Main Street.

"If money doesn't grow on trees, why do banks need branches?"

On a serious note, let me lay out a disclaimer. Most of my banking and financial transactions are now done online. I still walk into a branch, in my case Santander, when I have to drive to Greenock or Saltcoats, where the spacious branch sits amidst an area that, I would imagine, resembles downtown Beirut. I remember a busy, bustling Saltcoats from my earlier years. 

The loss of another bank in Largs, following the closure in recent years of Santander, TSB and the Clydesdale, will leave only the Bank of Scotland premises in the town centre. And, let's be realistic, it will also shut its doors. Next year?

When it was announced that the Royal Bank would depart this autumn, many local folk were shocked. The consensus of opinion was along the lines of: "Banks should be compelled by law to keep branches open, especially banks who were bailed out with public money. Politicians need to get involved in the protest."

That is a fair point, since we, the taxpayers, still own 35 per cent of NatWest, which we bailed out during the banking crisis of 2008 or so. Last year, NatWest's pre-tax profits were an eye-watering £6.2 billion. Yes, you read that right.

Banks tell us that their customers are overwhelmingly using digital banking more then ever before. More than 80 per cent of current account holders now use digital services, and 97 per cent of retail accounts, they say, are now opened online.

When this newspaper broke the news in April, one of our readers, Alison Nicol - with tongue set firmly in cheek - commented on our website: "Good news. Largs could do with another charity shop."

This prompted a range of views from our readers. Businessman Claudio Nardini said: "It's pretty shameless considering banks are making more money than ever before with everyone paying by card."

Reflecting the trend in town centres, Beverley Nicolson stated: "Better not become another charity shop or nail bar or Turkish barbers." 

Speaking up for older people, Eva McNeil said it was shocking and asked what would be provided for everyone who did not bank online.

It was interesting when some correspondents suggested that the Royal Bank building would not be empty for long because it is a big place in a prime location.

Accountant Jim Perman, who has just retired from his Main Street offices, reported to the community council that while the bank was removing its signage, fittings and even the ATM cash machine, it had also submitted a planning application to retain the premises for retail banking.

What does this mean? Well, there I was on my daily sojourn into town the other week, minding my own business (yes, sir, I do sometimes), when a shopkeeper stopped me to say that the town needed to start now to campaign for a banking hub.

Such hubs have been set up in Kilwinning and Troon, whereby, as I understand it, most of the banks staff the premises on different days to cater for walk-in customers.

It seems the way to go, so all local politicians should get together post General Election to make the case.

Wasn't it great when you knew the local bank managers, as I did. I was once with a bank which really liked me. They said my overdraft was outstanding!

Thought for the Week: A butterfly won't fly when it rains, because the raindrops damage their wings. They rest and wait it out. It's self preservation. It's okay to rest during the storms in your life.

I bet you didn't know what a collection of potholes was called. No, I didn't either but, apparently, it's a slalom.

So says irate Largs resident Iain Rowan, a former prison governor, who turned up at the Largs Community Council meeting to complain about damage to his car while driving in the town's Crawford Street.

To be honest, it could have happened in dozens of other local roads.

Mr Rowan intends to sue North Ayrshire Council to recover the hundreds of pounds of repairs required for his motor. However, he had a heck of a time trying to get the council to even acknowledge his complaint.

He was passed from proverbial pillar to post with four different NAC officers - some working from their kitchen tables or in front of the TV - before he was promised the requisite claims form. Hopefully, he has it now.

Apparently, pothole damage should be reported to the council's roads department who should send you a form within days. Mr Rowan is alleging "negligence" by NAC in leaving roads dangerous for local drivers.