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Bank of Scotland has replaced Business Relationship Managers within its branches, with a call centre service, sparking outrage from small businesses across the country.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has stated that its members are feeling “abandoned” by the Bank of Scotland, as well as frustration with the new system.

"This means that partners, who must take decisions jointly, now need to conduct finance negotiations huddled around a speakerphone,” stated Scottish policy convener for the FSB, Andy Wilcox.

“And despite the bank's protestations to the contrary, our members are receiving a drop in service level, without any drop in their bank charges.”

A spokesperson for the Bank of Scotland stated that the new system had “increased both the amount of lending and the number of SME customers”.

Half of Scotland’s small business community rely on Bank of Scotland, which is owned by the Lloyds Banking Group.