Ulster Bank To Close 11 NI Branches

Ulster Bank has confirmed it plans to close 11 branches next year in Northern Ireland.

The bank confirmed it will be seeking 40 voluntary redundancies as a result of the closures.

The branches to close are: Ballyclare, Dromore, Moira, Draperstown, Dungiven, Portrush, Killyleagh, Rathfriland, Castlederg, Irvinestown and Stewartstown.

Managing Director of Personal Banking at Ulster Bank in NI, Sean Murphy, said: "Closing a branch is never an easy decision and one we do not take lightly. Recognising that customers expect different services from their bank, we continue to invest in a range of channels to improve access in a sustainable way, such as our 24/7 telephone banking, online and mobile banking, and our services available through the Post Office. 

"Ulster Bank still has Northern Ireland's only Bank on Wheels service, with new stops being added. We are also providing ongoing education for customers in how to make best use of these alternatives. We will also be introducing additional digital and community support roles to assist with this transition."

Ulster Unionist Finance Spokesperson, Steve Aiken MLA, said he has requested an urgent meeting the bank.

He said: "These latest series of closures from the Ulster Bank lays bare the falsehoods of the claims that they are a customer-focused bank. This is a decision which has obviously only been taken to enhance the bank’s bottom line.

"The Ulster Bank made a pre-tax profit of £58m in 2016. It's parent Royal Bank of Scotland is still over 70% owned by the British taxpayer and yet this is the loyalty they show to long-standing customers.

"Whilst I acknowledge banking has changed over recent years, adapting to demands for improved digital services doesn’t have to happen in correlation with a major reduction in front-line customer facing services. Unfortunately, it is an excuse that has increasingly been used in an attempt to justify the closure of bank premises right across Northern Ireland.

"The reality is these closures will make everyday banking much more difficult, especially for local businesses and people who have limited access to online services. The simple reality is that not everything can be done online. The Ulster Bank have also been plagued with repeated IT and online security glitches over recent years so I really question the wisdom of shutting these physical branches.

"Indeed NatWest, another RBS owned bank, has started opening new digitally-focussed branches in England because it recognises that customers who extensively use online services still demand physical branches to support them with their financial needs."

Sinn Féin MLA Emma Rogan said: "Bank branches provide a key service in many local communities for both small businesses and personal banking customers.

"The loss of these branches will be particularly keenly felt in rural areas with people having to travel longer distances to access a bank.

"The news will also come as a blow to bank staff who will be facing an uncertain future following this announcement."

SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan said he was "deeply disappointed" with the announcement.

He said: "While I acknowledge the digital advancements and what that means for the way we bank, there are still many people who need to visit their local branch on a daily basis.

"Particularly in rural areas such as my own constituency, local people will be upset and angry at this announcement.

"Rural areas should be seeing more services delivered locally not less. This is another hit on the rural community, we are being abandoned.

"I've sought an urgent meeting with Ulster Bank and will visiting my local branch today to speak with managers. The priority must be to protect staff and local services."

(CD)