Ulster Bank ‘may lose 4,000 accounts’

Ulster Bank is facing the loss of thousands of accounts in the Midlands alone as a result of its decision to axe 14 Irish branches.

A campaign group warned yesterday that the bank could lose up to 4,000 accounts in west Offaly following the decision last month.

The community in Ferbane has been mobilising to try to get the bank to change its mind on the closure of the local branch — the only bank in the town— next March. Business at Ulster Bank in Ferbane will transfer to Athlone by March, with the bank pointing out that only 13% of transactions now take place in branches in the Republic.