The Ulster Bank branches in Ardara in Donegal and Ballymote in Sligo are to close.
Ardara is one of two closures in Donegal where Raphoe will also close.
Ulster Bank says it’s part of a restructuring of the service which will see 22 branches nationwide close their doors later this year.
Ulster Bank has confirmed to Ocean FM News this evening that the branches in Ardara and Ballymote will close in September while Raphoe will close in June.
While they have not broken down the individual jobs to be lost over 200 jobs will go nationwide.
It’s a huge blow for Ardara in particular where there is no other bank and in Ballymote there is only the Bank of Ireland.
With fears over the future of post office services this is a major blow for towns like Ballymote.
Local FF Councillor Keith Henry says it’s disappointing:
In its statement, the company says that in 2016, 62% of the bank’s customer interactions were digital, compared to 10% in branches.
While the bank management accepts that this will not suit all customers, they are reassuring people that a number of supports will be put in place.
This will include the newly created roles of Community Bankers and two new Mobile Banks.
It states the redundancies, which are not just in retail, will be volunteer-led.
Donegal Independent TD Thomas Pringle says it’s a devastating blow and people in Ardara especially local businesses are shocked:
