AIB rolls back contactless payment fee after backlash

The bank said they made the decision to suspend the fees in light of the current Covid-19 outbreak.

AIB has announced the suspension of planned fees for contactless payments.

The bank said they made the decision in light of the current Covid-19 outbreak.

The decision to impose the new fees was originally announced on Tuesday, and drew a backlash on social media, especially on Twitter.

AIB had planned to introduce 1c charges for customers who make contactless payments from May 30, 2020.

A quarterly maintenance fee of €4.50 for current accounts was also planned.

The Irish taxpayer saved AIB with their hard earned taxes.

The experts have advised us to use contactless in current @V2019N context.

AIB raised charges on contactless payments this week.😣#todaysor

— Marie Tess. (@TesstessToron) March 13, 2020

Sinn Féin spokesman for Finance Pearse Doherty was also critical of the new fees.

He said: "The last thing workers and families need in uncertain times are further stealth charges on customers like that announced today by AIB, a State-owned bank."

Banks must play their part in providing relief to those affected.

In a brief statement this evening, the bank said: "In the light of the current Covid-19 outbreak AIB is suspending the planned introduction of the contactless fee."

AIB was the third bank to charge for contactless payments, following Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank.