Ulster bank defers closure of 14 branches including ferbane

Ulster bank has deferred the closure of its branch in Ferbane along with 13 others around the country until April.

Despite an intensive campaign on the part of the community in Ferbane and West Offaly, the only bank in Ferbane had been due to close this Friday, March 20. However, the bank has now postponed the closure until April 17.

It’s understood the delay arose due to Ulster Bank’s decision to roll out limited banking services for its account holders in over 1,100 Post Offices nationwide.  

While Ulster Bank refused to keep the Ferbane branch open, concessions were made to West Offaly account holders. Ulster Bank agreed to keep an ATM in Ferbane, set up a system where limited banking could be done in the local Post Office and continue talks on the future use of the Ulster Bank building.

It’s understood all Ulster Bank customers will soon be able to avail of the limited banking service in Post Offices nationwide. However, the service is expected to be limited to services such as cheque and cash deposits.

In response to a query about closures, Ulster Bank said: “In November Ulster Bank announced a number of branch closures, these branches will now close in April 2015.”