Bank bosses have been heavily criticised for sending “insensitive” questionnaires to customers asking them help improve service at axed Perth and Kinross branches.
Residents have also been asked to rate on a scale of “one to ten” how likely they would be to recommend branches to family and friends.
Highland SNP Councillor Mike Williamson said it would not be hard to guess the response the banking giant would be likely to receive.
He said Pitlochry residents had been infuriated by the questionnaires, which have also been sent to customers at the Comrie, Kinross, Aberfeldy and Perth city centre branches, which will also close.
Each has been caught-up in a massive shake-up of the bank’s rural services, leaving some customers facing 70-mile round trips to visit a branch.
“This is absolutely ridiculous and I think a lot of people are now thinking of switching banks,” Mr Williamson said.
“The staff at the Pitlochry branch are extremely friendly and helpful but their bosses have a bit of a cheek thoughtlessly sending out this mail.
“It is certainly a bit insensitive as they are closing these branches, good people face losing their jobs and customers face long round trips to visit bank branches.”
Mr Williamson said he also had concerns about the alternatives being offered to members of the public and businesses.
“The mobile banks that will be tasked to visit these communities can only accept small sums of money, which is not ideal for businesses,” he said.
“Post Office branches are also being recommended as an alternative, but they themselves are under threat in many towns and villages.”
The questionnaire sent to customers of the Pitlochry branch reads: “Thank you for using RBS Pitlochry.
“We are dedicated to making our customers’ experience as good as it can be.
“We would appreciate feedback on your recent experience so that we can better understand how to improve the service we provide.”
Mr Williamson was among those who last month put forward a motion to Perth and Kinross Council urging it to reconsider banking with RBS.
Perth and Kinross Council leader, Conservative Councillor Ian Campbell, has been asked to write to RBS chiefs urging them to reverse their decision.
If they refuse, the council will review its banking arrangement with RBS and consider “alternative options”.
Public views are being sought as part of a Scottish Affairs Committee investigation into the closures.
The committee, chaired by Perth and North Perthshire SNP MP Pete Wishart, will conduct a one-off session looking at the proposed closures and what they will mean for Scotland on January 17.
RBS has said it will close 62 branches in Scotland, including in Aberfeldy, Alloa, Bridge of Allan, Comrie, Dunblane, Kinross, Perth and Pitlochry.
Other branches earmarked for closure include Dundee Stobswell and Montrose.
RBS said its decision – part of a mass-closure programme across Scotland, affecting around 160 jobs – was based on a dramatic drop in customer numbers.
RBS were approached for a comment.
