STATE-CONTROLLED AIB will today close 44 branches across the country as part of its decision to close or amalgamate 67 branches nationwide by next year.

In July, AIB announced its decision to close or amalgamate dozens of its 267 branches as part of a cost reduction programme which aims to save about €350 million.

AIB said it had taken the “regrettable but necessary” decision following a detailed review of its banking services – and that it hoped the closures would help the bank return to viability and provide a return to the taxpayer.

AIB said it was “acutely aware” of the need to continue to make banking services available locally, and therefore made arrangements with An Post to ensure residents and businesses in closure areas were given the option of carrying out transactions at the post office.

An Post services available to AIB customers are as follows:

(Business Customers)

• Cash lodgements
• Cheques lodgements – up to €10,000 per cheque
• Coin lodgement – €200 per week
• AIB has a dedicated SME Cash Management Team which has been liaising with business customers to discuss their cash management requirements and the alternative services available

(Personal Customers)

• Withdrawal of up to €600 per day using an AIB ATM/Debit Card
• Cash and cheque lodgements
• Payment of AIB Credit Card bill with cash or Debit Card

There will be a further four closures in November, followed by a further 16 in 2013.

Read: the full list of branch closures here

Read: AIB confirms branch closures as operating loss cut by 64 per cent>

Read: AIB: reports of 90 branch closures is ‘total speculation’>