AIB Bank branches in Ballinasloe, Longford and Birr will soon be 'cashless'
AIB Bank has announced that its branches in Ballinasloe, Longford and Birr are among 70 that will become 'cashless' this autumn.
The change, which is due to come into effect in Birr from September 30 and in Ballinasloe and Longford from October 21, has been criticised by several politicians who described it as another blow for rural Ireland.
From the above dates, AIB said, the affected branches "will no longer offer cash and cheque services at the counter, or through machines inside the branch.
"This means we will not have notes, coins, cheques, foreign exchange, bank drafts; and will remove any drop safes and night safes. If there is an ATM outside the branch where services are changing, that will also be removed."
AIB said people would be able to continue using the 'cashless branches' to open an account or take out a loan, while banking services would also be available in nearby post offices.
AIB said Tullamore would be the nearest branch to Birr that would continue offering cash services, while Athlone and Roscommon would be the 'non-cashless' branches closest to Ballinasloe and Longford, respectively.
In a statement this afternoon, Ballinamore Sean O'Heslin's GAA Club said the decision by AIB would have a detrimental impact on the affected communities.
"This is profit maximisation by an organisation that was bailed out by the Government using revenue generated by the very communities they are now deserting," said the club in a statement that has been widely shared on social media.
If AIB does not reverse its decision, Ballinamore Sean O'Heslin's said it would be calling on the GAA to remove AIB as a sponsor of the GAA club championships.
Offaly TD Carol Nolan called on the bank to reverse its decision, claiming the move to cashless branches demonstrated "utter contempt for rural families and rural businesses," many of whom would soon have to travel "considerable distances" to access basic banking or cash withdrawal services.
"In its statement announcing this shock decision, AIB actually had the gall to state that the rationale behind the move was to ensure that it can continue to provide 'a modern, community-based, sustainable banking service'. Do they take us for absolute fools or what?" said Deputy Nolan.
"This is a ruthless cost-cutting exercise dressed up as actions that are being implemented for the common good.
"I recognise that there will be a new level of collaboration with An Post; but unless An Post intends to drastically revise its opening hours how are people who need cash at, say, 6.15pm going to access it without an ATM?
"How are businesses who close on Saturday and who do not want cash on their premises over the weekend going to lodge their takings if the local post office is closed by lunchtime?
"What I am calling for here is the absolute bare minimum in terms of retention of services. This is a massive own goal for AIB and it will do significant reputational damage if it is not reversed," Deputy Nolan said.
The AIB announcement was also criticised by Aontú party leader Peadar Tóibín.
"AIB operates by licence from the State yet unilaterally deletes cash availability from customers. This is not good enough," said Deputy Tóibín.
"There is a significant banking review underway which should be the location for discussions such as this. Yet AIB has ignored its collective responsibility to customers.
"AIB has shown complete disregard for the Irish people by removing cash services in 70 branches.
"Our banking sector is in complete disarray with the withdrawal of KBC and Ulster Bank. The market is over concentrated in the hands of just a few operators. This gives the remaining banks enormous supplier power and now they can do what they want.
"As families struggle across the country, AIB has shown that it’s only committed is to increasing shareholder dividends and not to its customers," he commented.