Shock at decision by First Trust to close local branch

Shock at decision by First Trust to close local branch

1 March 2017

FIRST Trust customers in Downpatrick have reacted with concern to the announcement that the Market Street branch is to close at the end of July.

The local branch is one of 15 across the Province closing its doors this summer which will slice in half the number of First Trust 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” but customers in Downpatrick are angry at the move, which was only relayed to staff last Tuesday night just hours before the news was made public.

First Trust said it 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. 

In a bid to placate angry customers, the bank has agreed a partnership with the Post Office enabling customers to bank in any of its branches. Customers who currently bank at the Downpatrick branch will have their accounts transferred to the First Trust branch in Newcastle.

The bank’s customers in Downpatrick say they are unhappy their branch is closing and that from the start of July if they want to speak one-to-one with First Trust staff, they will have to go to Newcastle.

A number of customers who spoke to the Recorder confirmed they are considering closing their First Trust accounts and transferring them to other banks in Downpatrick. A number also believe the bank closure could impact on town centre businesses due to reduced footfall.

Eighty five year-old Pat McCormick from Saul, who was with the Allied Irish Bank before it became First Trust, said he has been banking in Downpatrick for 60 years and is uncertain how he will access his account in the future.

“I don’t know what I am going to do in the future, but getting to Newcastle would be very difficult for me,” he continued. “I pay a lot of my bills through the bank and I will still be able to do that, but I will not be able to speak with staff in Downpatrick any more which I will miss. I am very disappointed the branch is going to close,” he added.

Lorna Thomas from Downpatrick said her family would consider switching their accounts to other banks in the town for ease of access. Explaining her family has been banking with First Trust for around 15 years, she said it would be more convenient to bank in Downpatrick rather than Newcastle.

“We are not happy with the closure decision and it will be a nightmare when it comes top lodging money and things,” she explained. “You can choose to lodge money with the Post Office but we are currently in the middle of moving house at the moment and after that I think we will transfer to another bank.

“News of the closure came as a shock. We have a number of family accounts with First Trust and are really disappointed with the decision to close this branch.”

Ardglass woman, Sarah Montgomery, who has been with First Trust for 10 years, also expressed disappointment at the closure of the Market Street branch.

“I would cash a lot of cheques and also handle my partner’s banking needs with First Trust and am not happy with the decision,” she explained. “I like to speak with bank staff and while accounts are being transferred to Newcastle, I would not be keen to go there. I would probably change banks first.”

Sarah also believes that closing the bank could also impact on local businesses as there would not be the same number of people in the town centre, spending their money in shops.

Mrs Avril Thompson, whose son John uses the Downpatrick branch, said he would be concerned at the closure and would share the view of others who wish to see it remain open.

“My son would not want to have to travel to Newcastle for his banking needs as he lives in Crossgar,” she explained. “There are no banks in the village and Downpatrick is close at hand. Newcastle is not,” she added.

Another customer, who did wish to be identified, said he was “really disappointed” at the decision to close the Market Street branch. He added: “I have been banking here for well over 20 years and news of this closure came out of the blue. Many will be deeply upset at this decision and I am not sure I will want to travel to Newcastle to continue accessing a First Trust service. I will have to sit down and re-evaluate my banking needs in the light of this decision.”