NIB to close half of branches

NATIONAL Irish Bank (NIB) will close almost half of its branches and cut 150 jobs as part of a major restructuring programme.

The bank’s chief executive said the banking system in Ireland is on life support but added that NIB is strongly committed to the Irish market despite the cuts, which will be implemented over the next 18 months.

General secretary of finance union, the IBOA, Larry Broderick said he was shocked at the announcement.