ULSTER Bank has announced that it is to close its sub office in Lifford before the end of the year.
The plans, which will see six branches and three sub-offices close around the country, were outlined to staff on Tuesday. The bank said there will be no job losses as a result.
The closures are part of an announcement made this time last year to reduce the number of branches from 214 to between 175 and 185. The bank currently has 199 branches, eight of which are in Donegal (Ardara, Ballybofey, Buncrana, Donegal, Killybegs, Letterkenny, Moville and Raphoe).
Ulster Bank said it is closing the outlets due to changing consumer behaviour.
“While we note that management anticipates that these closures will not result directly in redundancies and we acknowledge its commitment that whatever provisions emerge from the restructuring negotiations will be available to the staff in these locations, we are, nevertheless, concerned about the impact on the directly affected staff in terms of redeployment as well as the indirect effect on employment for others,” the IBOA trade union said in a statement.
“We acknowledge its commitment that whatever provisions emerge from the restructuring negotiations will be available to the staff in these locations, we are, nevertheless, concerned about the impact on the directly affected staff in terms of redeployment as well as the indirect effect on employment for others.”
A spokesperson for the bank said that it will will be contacting customers of these branches to inform them of alternative branch locations in their area and the range of banking services available on their mobiles, online and by telephone.
The finance union also said that Ulster Bank management cannot confirm this announcement marks the end of the restructuring of its branch network.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)