Bank of Ireland to shut Dungannon and Strabane branches

BANK of Ireland has announced it will close its branches in Dungannon and Strabane this year.

Customers will be able to use their local Post Office for their transactions.

A spokesperson said the closures are being made “in response to significant and accelerating trends in how people are banking” and are part of a trend across the North with the number of Bank of Ireland branches to be reduced by the end of the year from from 28 to 13.

Personal and business customers will be able to use over 500 Post Office branches to carry out banking transaction.

Ian Sheppard, Managing Director NI, Bank of Ireland UK, said, “Technology is evolving and changing the way we live and manage our lives and that includes the way our customers, increasingly, choose to bank with us.

“Fewer customers are using branches and that trend is growing year on year on year.

“The number of branch visits is now just half of what they were in 2017 and footfall at the branches which are closing is down by nearly 70 per-cent since 2017.

“The changes to our branch network that we‘ve announced today are designed to meet today’s demand, while protecting local access to physical banking for those who want it through our existing partnership with the Post Office.

“This ensures continuity of services locally for both personal and business customers.”

Mr Sheppard went on to state that there is no need for customers to do anything now and they will be informed in writing with alternative arrangements explained at least 12 weeks before the closures.