Four local Bank of Ireland branches to close next month

(Above) The Bank of Ireland branch in Castlepollard.

Four local Bank of Ireland branches will close their doors for the last time early next month.

The bank’s branches in Castlepollard, Kinnegad, Moate and Athlone IT will close on October 8, along with 84 other outlets across the country as part of the bank’s ongoing transition to digital banking,

The closures were first announced in March at the same time as the bank’s new partnership with An Post, which will allow customers to access a number of services in their local post offices, including over-the-counter cash and cheque lodgements, withdrawals, and balance enquiries.

The bank has written to customers to inform them of the closure date, as well advise them of the banking options available to them after October 8.

The closures next month will leave both Castlepollard and Kinnegad without local banks. Bank of Ireland customers in Castlepollard will have to travel 16 kilometres to Oldcastle or 20 kilometres to Mullingar to avail of in branch banking, while customers in the Kinnegad area will have to travel 20 kilometres to Mullingar.

A spokesperson for Bank of Ireland says that the arrangement with An Post will be in place before the branches close next month, and “will enable customers to carry out a range of banking transactions at over 900 post offices across the country for no additional charge, as well as at Bank of Ireland branches”.

“...In summary, there is no requirement to transfer to an alternative branch; customers can do their banking at any Bank of Ireland branch, regardless of where their account is held. They will keep their existing account number, sort code and IBAN. Customers can continue to use their debit card, ATM card and cheque book and any standing orders and direct debits will carry on as before. Customers can also bank over the phone, on the internet and using our mobile banking app.”