Politicans seek discussion over bank branch closure

Politicans seek discussion over bank branch closure

8 March 2017

A DELEGATION of local politicians is seeking a meeting with senior officials from First Trust bank to discuss its controversial decision to close the Downpatrick branch this summer.

The Market Street branch is one of 15 across the Province closing its doors which will slice in half the current number of branches as part of what is being described as a “reshaping and investment programme.”

The head of First Trust, Des Moore, said the closures had been a “difficult decision,” with bank officials insisting they will be working hard to minimise the closure impact on customers and staff, explaining the move is designed to ensure a sustainable future for the bank and address the considerable shift in customer behaviour and their changing needs. 

There was across-the-board political support for a motion tabled at Monday night’s meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council, seeking an urgent meeting with Mr Moore.

It was tabled by councillor Stephen Burns who said the meeting will provide politicians with an opportunity to highlight their concerns, explore potential alternatives to closure and highlight the importance of the bank retaining a cash dispensing machine in the town.

Concern was expressed that while First Trust reported a profit of £54m last year, it was pressing ahead with the closure of the Downpatrick branch and one in Warrenpoint. 

Politicians said there is increasing concern about the impact the loss of one-to-one contact with bank staff will have on the elderly in particular who are not au fait with internet banking. They say the closures will have an impact on the rural community and impact on town centre footfall.

Councillor Burns said the bank closures form part of First Trust restructuring of its frontline service delivery and suggested the futures of the 130 staff affected by the 15 branch closures remains uncertain, explaining the bank is seeking voluntary redundancies.

“These jobs will go but we have no idea where as far as those who work locally are concerned,” he continued. “Given the uncertainty, staff deserve praise for continuing to deliver a positive and professional service to customers. Once again, face-to-face services are being taken out of our towns and villages.

“One of the reason cited for closing branches is on-line banking but we know only too well that accessing the internet is not possible in many rural locations so these bank closures will have a direct and negative impact on the people who live there. On-line banking is a reality for some in rural areas but certainly not all.”

Councillor Burns said while First Trust has said some of its services will be relocated to the Post Office, he argued there will be an absence of “private and intimate” dealings with bank staff on a range of financial matters.

He added: “People who work in the Downpatrick branch buy their lunch in the town and also shop there so its closure will have an impact. There will also be a reduction in the number of people coming into the town if the branch is closed which also has the potential to impact on existing businesses. Downpatrick is rapidly becoming a shutter town as there are so many closed premises and we don’t want to see anymore.”

Councillor Mark Murnin said banks build up relationships with customers that cannot be replicated in a Post Office whose staff do not have the expertise to help people with financial advice. He said it was also worth nothing that when the First Trust branch in Ballynahinch closed several years ago, its services were transferred to Lisburn, not Downpatrick.

Councillor Terry Andrews said bank closures have a knock-on effect on other town centre businesses, branding the closure of the Market Street branch as “draconian.” Councillor John Trainor said the move “discriminates” against the rural population in particular, explaining people in Downpatrick are extremely upset at First Trust’s decision.

The forthcoming meeting with bank officials will also discuss the proposed closure of First Trust’s Warrenpoint branch which a number of politicians in this part of the South Down constituency are concerned about.