Reprieve as Ulster Bank to remain open.. for now

Reprieve as Ulster Bank to remain open.. for now

9 October 2024

DOWNPATRICK’S Ulster Bank will not close next month.

The branch, which was due to close on November 19, has been granted a stay of execution – but it’s not yet known for how long.

Local SDLP councillor Gareth Sharvin said that Ulster Bank was working with the Financial Conduct Authority and the banking industry to provide further detail on cash services available in the Downpatrick area.

“As a result, the Ulster Bank in Downpatrick branch will remain open for longer until this work is concluded,” said Cllr Sharvin.

“This means that the branch will no longer close on November 19 and customers are being notified of this change and informed they will still be able to use the branch during its usual opening hours.”

When news of the Downpatrick branch closure was announced earlier this year, politicians criticised the decision, also calling for a so-called banking hub to be set up in the town.

They argued people need access to financial services and not all can be completed online or over the phone.

For its part, Ulster Bank said the planned closure reflected its strategy to support customers with both face-to-face and online banking services, revealing that only 18 customers use the Downpatrick branch weekly.

“We take our responsibility seriously and are committed to not making any further changes to our branch network before 2026. We will also be investing over £3m into our network over the next two years, following £3.25m of investment made in 2023,” the bank said in a statement.

“We are communicating with our customers affected by the closure and contacting regular branch users. Those that still need branch services will be able to use Ulster Bank Castlewellan.”

The bank said its customer support specialists are proactively contacting customers who use the Downpatrick branch to provide dedicated support and that it’s so-called community pop-up service will also be available for customers.

Ulster Bank said the way people banked with it had “changed dramatically in recent years” with an increased demand for mobile and online services as customers benefit from a faster and easier way to bank.

It said that since 2019, the bank has seen the way in which people living in Downpatrick chose to do their banking, with 72% of customers digitally active, resulting that transactions have reduced by 50% with 18 customers visiting the branch on a regular weekly basis.