Comber’s Ulster Bank set to close

Comber’s Ulster Bank set to close

25 May 2022

THE Ulster Bank branch in Comber is to close.

Located in the town’s square, the branch is one of nine that will start to close its doors later this year. 

Other Ulster bank branches earmarked for closure include those in Holywood, Warrenpoint, Dunmurry, Antrim, Ballymoney, Larne, Maghera and Clogher.

Bank officials, who have confirmed that the closure process will commence in September, insist the move was prompted by shifting customer behaviour “to mobile and online banking” and said close to 90% of the needs of their retail banking customers can be met by online services.

In addition, officials said all the branch closures are within one mile of a free to use ATM and said customers can still use the services offered by the Post Office to withdraw and deposit cash at any of their branches.

“As with many industries, most of our customers are shifting to mobile and online banking, because it’s faster and easier for people to manage their financial lives,” said an Ulster Bank spokesperson.

“We understand and recognise that digital solutions aren’t right for everyone or every situation, and that when we close branches we have to make sure that no one is left behind.”

The spokesperson added: “We take our responsibility seriously to support the people who face challenges in moving online, so we are investing to provide them with support and alternatives that work for them. The impending closure of the Comber bank has been expressed as “extremely disappointing” by Strangford MLA Michelle McIlveen.

She said the closure will leave the town, which has a population around 10,000 will have no banks, revealing that the recent removal of other banks in the town has resulted in a reduction of ATM provision. 

“With the Department of Work and Pensions decision to cease its contract with the Post Office, many elderly and vulnerable people were told to open bank accounts as a result the proposed closure of the last bank in the town, this will have a devastating impact,” she said.

“Over the past couple of years, I have been working with a large number of elderly constituents to help them set up bank accounts including obtaining the necessary photographic identification. Having moved from the Post Office where they were happy, this decision by Ulster Bank just presents them with another unnecessary hurdle.”

Ms McIlveen said her constituency office in Comber was contacted large number of people after news of the branch closure was confirmed last week.

“One young man with disabilities, which limit his ability to use online banking and telephone banking, is deeply concerned about how he will be able to avail of banking services and I have also been approached by a number of elderly residents who simply cannot use online banking services,” she said.

“The decision seems to be driven by the bank’s balance sheet, rather than having the needs of their customers at its heart. Many of those who have contacted me, although they are upset, feel that this was a decision which has been planned for due to the extremely limited hours being offered at the branch since the pandemic struck.”

Ms McIlveen said that along with her DUP colleagues, Trevor Cummings and Robert Gibson, she has requested an urgent meeting with bank officials to discuss the closure proposal.