Ulster Bank’s Downpatrick branch will no longer be closing in November following new legislation which seeks to “protect free access to cash” in communities.
Last year, Ulster Bank announced that it would be closing 10 branches across Northern Ireland in 2024. The Downpatrick branch was set to close on November 19.
In a post on Facebook, SDLP councillor Gareth Sharvin said that the closure had been halted while work to secure fee access to cash is underway.
The Downpatrick councillor said: “In light of new legislation to further protect free access to cash in our communities, Ulster Bank are working with the FCA and industry to provide further detail on cash services available in the Downpatrick area, and to ensure Ulster Bank are supporting customers in locations where their branches are due to close later this year.
“As a result, the Ulster Bank NI Downpatrick branch will remain open for longer until we conclude this work. This means that the branch will no longer close on November 19, 2024.
“Customers are being notified of this change, and from November 19 will still be able to use the branch during its usual opening hours.”
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The bank had previously said that between February and November this year it would be shutting branches in Ballynahinch, Crumlin, Downpatrick, Glengormley, Belfast’s Kings Road, Ormeau Road and University Road, Lisnaskea, Lurgan and Waterside in Londonderry.
The closures will leave the bank with just 25 branches remaining across the region.
Last year the Financial Services Union said it would be campaigning “vigorously” for banks to commit to carrying out no further branch closures in Northern Ireland in the next five years.
A spokesperson for Ulster Bank previously said there were no plans to reverse the closures, but did confirm that there would be no further closures until at least 2026.