Ulster Bank has announced plans to close 10 branches in the North with the loss of 21 jobs. The NatWest-owned lender confirmed it will begin closing the branches from February 2024, reducing its northern network to 25 locations.
The ten closures will include Lisnaskea's Ulster Bank branch, which will leave the town without a functioning bank having lost both its Bank of Ireland and Northern Bank branches in previous years. Speaking to Northern Sound on the matter, Sinn Fein MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Aine Murphy, described Ulster Banks announcement as a "huge blow" for the local community. Ms Murphy confirmed that she has written to the bank requesting a meeting to raise her concerns for customers, staff and businesses.
"This morning's announcement by Ulster Bank has dealt a huge blow to the local community of Lisnaskea and of course the other surrounding towns and villages which this branch serves," the Fermanagh MLA explained. "My immediate thoughts are with the workers who are directly impacted by this announcement and all efforts must be made by Ulster Bank to redeploy and reskill workers from this branch. Elderly and business customers will also be adversely affected as a result of this decision and I have written to Ulster Bank requesting an urgent meeting to raise all of these concerns directly."
