Explainer: What the Bank of Ireland branch closure means for customers

The bank has said most of the impacted branches do not offer a counter service.

THIS MORNING BANK of Ireland announced plans to close 88 branches in Ireland and a further 15 in Northern Ireland.

The decision will see banking services move to hundreds of Post Offices around the country.

Which branches are to close?

A list of the impacted branches was published today. They were confirmed as:

Carlow

Boris
Tullow

Cavan

Arva
Cootehill
Kingscourt

Clare

-Kilkee
-Miltown Malbay
Tulla

Cork

Cork Institute of Technology
Glanmire
Bantry
Cobh
Dunmanway
Kanturk
Millstreet
Michelstown
Youghal

Donegal

Bunbeg
Bundoran
Dungloe
Glenties
Moville

Dublin

James Street
Law Library
Phibsboro
Ballycoolin
Killester
Merrion Road
Rathmines
Ballyfermot

Galway

Ballygar
Dunmore
Oughterard

Kerry

Castleisland
Kilorglin
Tralee IT

Kildare

Celbridge
Kilcullen
Leixlip – HP/Intel
Monasterevin

Kilkenny

Callan
Graiguenamanagh
Thomastown
Urlingford

Laois

Durrow
Mountrath
Rathdowney

Leitrim

Drunshambo
Manorhamilton

Limerick

Abbeyfeale
Askeaton
Bruff
Caherdavin
Rathkeale
Roxboro
University of Limerick

Longford

Granard

Louth

Dunleer

Mayo

Ballyhaunis
Charlestown
Kiltimagh

Meath

Athboy
Enfield
Ratoath

Monaghan

Castleblayney
Clones

Offaly

Banagher
Clara
Edenderry

Roscommon

Elphin
Strokestown

Sligo

Ballymote
Tubbercurry

Tipperary

Cahir
Cashel
Templemore

Waterford

Ardkeen
Kilmacthomas
Lismore

Westmeath

Athlone IT
Castlepollard
Kinnegad
Moate

Wexford

Rosslare
Taghmon

Wicklow

Carnew
Rathdrum
Tinahely

The following Northern Ireland branches will also be closed:

Ballymena
Banbridge
Belfast Lisburn Road
Belfast Ormeau Road
Belfast University Road
Crossmaglen
Derry Strand Road
Downpatrick
Dungannon
Keady
Limavady
Lisburn
Lisnaskea
Portadown
Strabane

Bank of Ireland said these branches are predominantly self-service locations which do not offer a counter service.

When will they close?

None of these branches will close in the next six months. The first set of closures will begin from September.

If my local branch closes, where am I to go for services?

The bank has agreed a new partnership with An Post which will offer customers a range of banking services at over 900 locations. These services will include the withdrawal of cash and lodgement of both cash and cheques.

Banking at An Post will be available before branches close. You can find your local Post Office here.

In a small number of locations where there is no alternative ATM available, Bank of Ireland will maintain an ATM.

Do I have to do anything?

Bank of Ireland has said there is no change to day-to-day banking or to any customer’s products (accounts, loans, mortgages etc). The bank will write to impacted customers at least two months before the branch closes either by email or a letter.

The email or letter will let you know when the branch is due to close and to which branch your accounts will be transferred, as well as details on how to continue to access your accounts.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said today the announcement should not affect deposits held with the bank and other services offered as many of these services are not dependent on the bank’s physical premises being open.

Bank of Ireland has said there will be no change to your existing account number, sort code or IBAN.

Any direct debits or standing orders you have set up will remain in place.

If you have submitted an application for a mortgage the bank will continue to assess your application and these closures will not affect the drawing down of mortgages.

What about older and vulnerable customers?

The Central Bank of Ireland said today it expects Bank of Ireland to provide impacted vulnerable customers with the assistance necessary to ensure they can retain full access to basic financial services, albeit in many cases at another branch location.

In many cases, the banking services may move to a local Post Office. Bank of Ireland has said branches that will close have a Post Office, on average, 500 metres away.

The bank has a dedicated support line to answer questions for vulnerable customer and their carers: 1800 946 146