Bank union opposes branch closures

The head of the Financial Services Union (FSU) said it will oppose any further branch closures across Ireland as a survey by leading consumer affairs publication Which showed “at least” 2,961 branches were shut in Britain in the past four years.

“The closure of a branch can have a devastating impact. Research from the UK indicates very negative consequence for lending to small business when a local branch closes,” said FSU general secretary Gareth Murphy. “Our view is that, while online and digital banking is growing, consumers want this built on a physical branch network where they can talk to experienced staff, rooted in their communities.”