Two Mayo bank branches to become 'cashless'

TWO AIB branches in Mayo are to become cashless, with no counter or ATM facilities.

They are the bank's branches in Ballinrobe and Claremorris, with the changes coming into effect from October 21.

From that date, the nearest branch with full cash services for customers from Ballinrobe will be in Castlebar, while the nearest branch for Claremorris customers will be Tuam.

Another western branch affected is Clifden, where customers will have to travel to Westport to avail of full cash services.

AIB has announced that from September 30 and October 21, a total of 70 branches across the country will no longer offer cash and cheque services at the counter, or through machines inside the branch. This means they will not have notes, coins, cheques, foreign exchange, bank drafts, and will remove any drop safes and night safes.

If there is an ATM outside the branch where services are changing, that will also be removed.

Kiosk banking and phone banking services will still be available at these branches.

Reacting, ICMSA president Pat McCormack said there will be huge disappointment in all the towns concerned and their associated rural areas and it will put further pressure on rural towns as they try to adjust to a changing economic environment.

He commented: “While a lot of transactions are now online, the reality is that cash is still hugely important in the rural economy, for small country businesses and for the older generations in particular. The use of cash is critical and the local bank was hugely important in terms of accessing cash and doing the normal day to day transactions.

“People are also concerned that the loss of cash services is just another step towards closure of the branch and it is important that AIB provide guarantees that this is not the case.”

From a government perspective and while acknowledging the increased role to be played by An Post in banking, Mr. McCormack said government will have to ensure that ATMs remain available in rural towns and villages as without access to cash, the economic viability of these towns will be further undermined.