Bank branch closures are a ‘double blow’ for East Antrim

The local facility is one of nine earmarked for closure in Northern Ireland during May and June, alongside others including Carrickfergus and Ballyclare.

The bank has confirmed that staff affected by the closures will either be redeployed to other branches or could potentially be eligible for existing redundancy programmes. It is understood that a total of 50 employees (out of 750) will be impacted across the province, and their options will be discussed on an individual basis.

And while the move will reduce Bank of Ireland’s branch network in Northern Ireland from 44 to 35, the remaining branches will be “upgraded and modernised” as part of a £10m investment scheme. The bank’s network in the Republic of Ireland will not be affected.

The branches scheduled for closure are said to account for seven per cent of the business conducted by the branch network in the province, and have been described as “smaller branches where the volume of business is insufficient to sustain them”.

Sean Sheehan, Bank of Ireland regional manager for Northern Ireland, said: “To help deliver our strategy for Northern Ireland we are investing in a modern branch network that provides customers with easy access to banking services and is fully integrated with our online, phone and mobile channels.

“We also have to ensure that the network is cost-effective and fit for purpose. We understand that closing branches is disappointing for those who use them but the volume of business at the branches involved means they are not sustainable in the long term. We will continue to service those customers through larger branches which are being modernised and upgraded.”