Northern Ireland's first banking hub is set to open this month with four more to help protect access to cash services following the closure of traditional bank branches.
The first hub will be located in Kilkeel, Co Down, and is due to open at 47 Greencastle Street at 11am on Wednesday, December 6. New banking hubs will also open next year in Comber, Newcastle, Portrush, and Warrenpoint, following community requests by Consumer Council Northern Ireland to LINK, the UK's cash access and ATM network.
Cash Access UK, the not-for-profit company owned and funded by nine high street banks to protect access to cash services, is behind the opening of the new banking hubs.
In 2021, the banking industry agreed that following the closure of any bank branch, LINK will identify whether a community requires further cash services. Additionally, any community without a branch can contact LINK directly and ask to be assessed for support.
Banking hubs are a shared banking space, similar to a traditional bank branch, but available to everyone.
The banking hub in Kilkeel will offer a counter service operated by the Post Office, where customers of all major banks can carry out regular cash transactions.
It will also offer a Community Banker service where customers can talk to their own bank about more complicated issues, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm. Community Bankers will work on rotation, with a different bank available on each day of the week:
- Monday – Barclays
- Tuesday – Ulster Bank
- Wednesday – Santander
- Thursday – Bank of Ireland
- Friday – Danske Bank
The Banking Hub will be opened by The Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Councillor Valerie Harte on Wednesday, December 6, at 11am.
Gareth Oakley, CEO at Cash Access UK said: “We are delighted to be opening a Banking Hub in the heart of the Kilkeel community. This is the first Hub to open in Northern Ireland and it will support local community, businesses and tourists with cash and vital banking services. With four new Hub recommendations, we are now beginning to look at potential sites and hope to open these next year."
The Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Councillor Valerie Harte added: “The closure of banks in Kilkeel and cross rural areas has had a huge impact on local businesses and the whole community. The Hub will ensure that customers of the majority of banks can withdraw and deposit cash, make bill payment and carry out regular transactions.
"This Hub, which I’m delighted to officially open, will make a difference for customers and mean people won’t need to travel to do everyday transactions."
Alan Knox, President, Kilkeel Chamber of Commerce said: "Kilkeel Chamber of Commerce welcome the opening of the Banking Hub in Kilkeel. This much needed banking facility will help our local community and businesses in facilitating day to day banking needs as well as the ability to deal face to face with banking representatives from selected banks. As the first Banking Hub in Northern Ireland, we wish Cash Access UK and the Post Office every success in bringing this service to Kilkeel."
