Menu
02/05/2024
Banks Urged To Protect NI Local Branch Network
Northern Ireland's Finance Minister has urged banks to protect their local branch network and ensure communities impacted by branch closures are able to access banking services.
Finance Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA made the call following a roundtable meeting with representatives of high street banks and UK Finance, LINK and Cash Access UK to discuss the importance of rolling out banking hubs to areas impacted by branch closures.
Speaking afterwards, Minister Archibald said: "I am concerned about the societal impacts branch closures are having on communities – particularly in hard to reach rural areas – and also the impact on staff.
"While there is a trend in many banks towards digital banking, losing a branch, or indeed several, can be a massive blow for any community – urban or rural. It is, therefore, essential that banks cater for customers in impacted communities - particularly the elderly or those on low incomes - who are reliant on branch banking and ATMs for cash and other basic banking services.
"It is important that banks work with customers in impacted towns who struggle to access digital services to make sure they have access to over the counter services, free to use ATMs and staff who have a particular knowledge of the local area and individual customers’ banking needs.
"It is vital too that banks proactively work with customers to encourage digital and financial literacy."
The meeting, facilitated by UK Finance, enabled the Minister to hear about plans for the rollout of banking hubs in Comber, Newcastle, Warrenpoint and Portrush.
The first hub opened in Kilkeel at the end of 2023 with staff from the high street banks providing over the counter services on designated days to personal and business banking customers.
The Minister said: "I welcome the opportunity to discuss the banking hubs and how they could be further rolled out to other communities right across the North.
"While the regulation of the banking sector is a Reserved Matter for the British Government, I will continue to engage with banking representatives as well as the Credit Unions, Post Office, trade unions, business bodies, consumer and community organisations and also the Treasury and the regulatory authorities to see how the sector can best support customers."
Finance Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA made the call following a roundtable meeting with representatives of high street banks and UK Finance, LINK and Cash Access UK to discuss the importance of rolling out banking hubs to areas impacted by branch closures.
Speaking afterwards, Minister Archibald said: "I am concerned about the societal impacts branch closures are having on communities – particularly in hard to reach rural areas – and also the impact on staff.
"While there is a trend in many banks towards digital banking, losing a branch, or indeed several, can be a massive blow for any community – urban or rural. It is, therefore, essential that banks cater for customers in impacted communities - particularly the elderly or those on low incomes - who are reliant on branch banking and ATMs for cash and other basic banking services.
"It is important that banks work with customers in impacted towns who struggle to access digital services to make sure they have access to over the counter services, free to use ATMs and staff who have a particular knowledge of the local area and individual customers’ banking needs.
"It is vital too that banks proactively work with customers to encourage digital and financial literacy."
The meeting, facilitated by UK Finance, enabled the Minister to hear about plans for the rollout of banking hubs in Comber, Newcastle, Warrenpoint and Portrush.
The first hub opened in Kilkeel at the end of 2023 with staff from the high street banks providing over the counter services on designated days to personal and business banking customers.
The Minister said: "I welcome the opportunity to discuss the banking hubs and how they could be further rolled out to other communities right across the North.
"While the regulation of the banking sector is a Reserved Matter for the British Government, I will continue to engage with banking representatives as well as the Credit Unions, Post Office, trade unions, business bodies, consumer and community organisations and also the Treasury and the regulatory authorities to see how the sector can best support customers."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 November 2024
SF Calls For Action On NI Mental Health Services
Sinn Féin has called for more to be done to improve mental health services across the north of Ireland. The party's mental health spokesperson, MLA Órlaithí Flynn, made the call after the release of the Registrar General's 2023 Annual Report which has highlighted an increase in deaths by suicide in 2023.
SF Calls For Action On NI Mental Health Services
Sinn Féin has called for more to be done to improve mental health services across the north of Ireland. The party's mental health spokesperson, MLA Órlaithí Flynn, made the call after the release of the Registrar General's 2023 Annual Report which has highlighted an increase in deaths by suicide in 2023.
19 November 2024
Department Of Health Encourages Self-Care This Winter
The Department of Health is urging people to take steps to care for their health and well-being, especially during the winter months. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt emphasised the importance of self-care, particularly for older adults and individuals with long-term health conditions.
Department Of Health Encourages Self-Care This Winter
The Department of Health is urging people to take steps to care for their health and well-being, especially during the winter months. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt emphasised the importance of self-care, particularly for older adults and individuals with long-term health conditions.
18 November 2024
Road Safety Week Highlights Human Cost Of Road Accidents
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI), emergency services, and victim support groups have launched Road Safety Week 2024, highlighting the devastating impact of road traffic collisions. On average, one person loses their life on Northern Ireland's roads every week, with 57 fatalities recorded so far this year.
Road Safety Week Highlights Human Cost Of Road Accidents
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI), emergency services, and victim support groups have launched Road Safety Week 2024, highlighting the devastating impact of road traffic collisions. On average, one person loses their life on Northern Ireland's roads every week, with 57 fatalities recorded so far this year.
15 November 2024
Other News In Brief
Appeal Following Armed Robbery In East Belfast PSNI detectives have issued an appeal for information following the report of an armed robbery in east Belfast on Friday 15th November.
Other News In Brief
Appeal Following Armed Robbery In East Belfast PSNI detectives have issued an appeal for information following the report of an armed robbery in east Belfast on Friday 15th November.
11 October 2016
Minister Slammed For Failing To Provide Figures On Number Of Foodbanks
The SDLP has hit out at the Minister for Communities after he failed to provide figures on the number of foodbanks in Northern Ireland or the number of people using them. SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said Minister Paul Givan "boasted" about everything he is doing to support food banks, however he was unable to confirm how many of them exist in NI.
Minister Slammed For Failing To Provide Figures On Number Of Foodbanks
The SDLP has hit out at the Minister for Communities after he failed to provide figures on the number of foodbanks in Northern Ireland or the number of people using them. SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said Minister Paul Givan "boasted" about everything he is doing to support food banks, however he was unable to confirm how many of them exist in NI.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
