Ulster urged to rethink closure of two rural branches

Ulster urged to rethink closure of two rural branches

20 February 2013

ULSTER Bank has been urged to reconsider its planned closure of the Ardglass and Saintfield branches by MP Margaret Ritchie.

At a meeting with bank officials, also attended by councillor Maria McCarthy, Miss Ritchie said rural services and communities needed to be protected and not undermined.

“Ardglass is a rural fishing village with no other banking institution,” she said. “I impressed on the Ulster Bank that it is pivotal this service remains in the town to provide adequate bank and financial support to both businesses and members of the community.

“While I did receive assurances that other measures would be put in place and consultation would now be carried out, particularly with vulnerable groups, this is by no means an acceptable resolution.

“I also impressed upon the Ulster Bank that further closures under rationalisation programmes in the future would not be tolerated.”

Councillor McCarthy said vulnerable groups in the Saintfield community would also be affected by the loss of this bank service.

“We have already seen the detrimental loss of the Danske Bank in Crossgar, and our rural communities cannot continue to haemorrhage bank facilities,” she said. “The bank is the lifeblood of the community, not only for businesses but also for the self employed and those collecting benefits or pension.

“While Ulster Bank have assured me that other provisions will be put in place for their customers, it is crucial that vulnerable people feel secure in their banking and are able to access their accounts, in their own way, without delay or impediment.

“We must protect our rural towns, businesses and crucially the vulnerable people in our community.”