Consumer Council’s bank fears

The Consumer Council has expressed concern about the impact the closure of five bank branches across Northern Ireland, including one in Carrick, will have on local communities.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Sep 2014, 18:06 BST
The First Trust Bank is to close its Carrick branch with customers transferring to Glengormley. INCT 38-416-RMThe First Trust Bank is to close its Carrick branch with customers transferring to Glengormley. INCT 38-416-RM
The First Trust Bank is to close its Carrick branch with customers transferring to Glengormley. INCT 38-416-RM

As the TIMES reported last week, First Trust is shutting its Castle Street, Carrick and Coalisland branches. Danske Bank is closing branches in Kircubbin, Lisnaskea and 
Cregagh Road, Belfast.

Aodhan O’Donnell, interim chief executive of Consumer Council, said: “These latest closures mean that Northern Ireland will have lost 27 per cent of its bank branches since 2011, with 14 branches disappearing in 2014 alone.

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“Bank closures not only affect consumers in their day to day banking, local businesses have also expressed concern. They have to travel further to the bank to lodge takings or obtain change, meaning that time is lost and travel expenses increase. This is particularly relevant for Northern Ireland, as we have the highest concentration of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UK.

“We have been working with the banks to ensure consumers are aware of the alternative ways to bank so they are not financially forgotten as a result of bank branch closures.”

The Consumer Council has produced factsheets in relation to bank branch closures which can be downloaded at www.consumercouncil.org.uk/publications

Consumers can also get a free copy by contacting 0800 121 6022 or via facebook or twitter.

Related topics:Northern IrelandCarrickDanske BankCoalisland