Ulster Bank decision to close nine branches in Northern Ireland hugely disappointing say FSU

Ulster Bank decision to close nine branches in Northern Ireland hugely disappointing say FSU

Staff, customers, and business will suffer

The decision by Ulster Bank to close nine branches in Northern Ireland will be a come as a body blow to staff, customers, and business according to John O’Connell, General Secretary of the Financial Services Union.

Ulster Bank have announced that they will start to close nine branches across Northern Ireland from September 2022.

Commenting on the decision the General Secretary of the FSU, John O’Connell said:

“This decision will come as a shock to a lot of people and will cause huge distress for staff and local communities. The Financial Services Union will be opposing these closures and reminding the Bank of its societal role in providing services to local communities.

The rationale given for these closures does not stand up to scrutiny. If Banks continue to cut services, you leave people with no choice but to use digital platforms. There are many people who are unable for varied reasons to bank online.

Ulster Bank have put profit before people and shown a complete disregard for communities and particularly older people and vulnerable people who will be without banking services due to this announcement

The FSU will oppose compulsory redundancies and urge politicians from all political Parties to come together in opposing this decision.

Banks have lost the trust of people since the banking crash. Closing services is not the way to rebuild that trust.”

ENDS