Danske Bank Northern Ireland to close branches in Carrickfergus, Saintfield, Knock (Belfast): Federation of Small Business warns of 'a banking wasteland' for individuals and businesses

The FSB made the claim after Danske Bank announced the closure of four branches, in Carrickfergus, Saintfield, Knock (Belfast) and Shipquay Place in Londonderry.

The external cash machines at the four branches will also be removed when they close on 7 June. There will be no job losses.

Aisling Press, Danske Bank’s Managing Director of Personal Banking, said: "Many of our customers are now using alternative ways to bank with us, like through our digital solutions, banking on the phone or in the Post Office. Over the past two years, we’ve seen a 25% increase in customer logins to our digital channels.

“We have to respond to these changes, and a key part of that is reviewing and adapting how we invest in our customer solutions for the future."

She added: “Sometimes it also means we need to make difficult decisions to close certain branches that are being used less."

Both personal and business customers with a debit card can still carry out banking functions at the Post Office, she said, including checking balances, withdrawing cash and lodging cash and cheques.

The bank's local contact centre offers telephone, email and online support during business houses from Monday to Saturday, she added.

The sort codes and account numbers of affected customers will not change and customers do not need to take any action.

However Alan Lowry, FSB`s NI Policy Chair, says that Danske Bank`s decision is a blow to businesses and consumers.

"It is turning many communities into a banking wasteland, limiting access to cash and shrinking an increasingly fragile free-to-use ATM network," he said.

"These closures further erode access to banking facilities in towns and city centres and will be a blow to businesses and consumers. Banks used to be right at the centre of bustling communities across Northern Ireland, but unfortunately many are a banking wasteland as banks use the cover of ‘changing customer behaviour’ to reinforce profit margins."

It is important to note the move also means the loss of cash machines at each location, further limiting access to cash.

He said the Financial Conduct Authority was given the task in the Financial Services and Markets Act from last year of “seeking to ensure reasonable provision” of cash deposit and withdrawal facilities, for business and personal customers.

"We will ask the FCA to measure the actions of Danske Bank against responsibilities to maintain access to cash,” he said. “They deserve close examination.”

“However, we do not believe that the FCA proposals adequately address the ongoing decline in cash access infrastructure, with bank branch closures continuing at an alarming rate, and a shrinking and increasingly fragile free-to-use ATM network."

"The consultation also overlooks essential services such as local cash deposit facilities for small business owners, and assisted cash services that offer personal interaction. With Danske Bank being unable to offer any guarantees about the size of their network in the future, it is important that the Financial Conduct Authority moves swiftly to examine the actions of banks, especially when they are closing the last bank in town.”