Ten years ago, Manorhamilton had three bank.
However, the Ulster Bank closed approximately 10 years ago and the Bank of Ireland followed suit five years ago.
At the end of 2022, AIB withdrew its cash counter services leaving it that customers could not lodge any money or withdraw any cash, only by machine.
Concerns have now been raised that this reduction in services is having a negative impact on the town as fewer people are coming into the town to do business.
Manorhamilton AIB served the border area and consequently a lot of people based in Northern Ireland come to bank in the town, but due to the reduction in services, there is a belief that these people are no longer visiting the town.
Local TD Frank Feighan has wrote to AIB to seek an upgrade of services for the AIB branch in Manorhamilton.
He has requested a return to counter services full time or three days a week, or at the very least a second ATM/Internal Cash and Cheque lodgement machine for the premises.
“It is suggested that up to 20 per cent of the bank customers came from Northern Ireland, so that means that those people came to Manorhamilton specifically to deal with their banking business and now unfortunately, have no reason to come to the town and perhaps shop there also.
“It is estimated by many of the AIB customers that the cash machine in the bank branch only works 70% of the time due to constant breakdowns – hardly a service to be proud off!
“Sometimes the machine won’t take cash or other times it won’t take cheques.
“When the change came in to force every customer was allocated a lodgement card, if there is a problem with the machine in the branch, you have the choice to go to the post office however that same card will not work at the post office, the customer is required to have a lodgement book.
“This drives customers to Carrick-on-Shannon and Sligo resulting in a loss of business for the north Leitrim town,” said Deputy Feighan.
Privacy and customer confidentiality was also raised in the letter sent by Deputy Feighan.
“The other issue worth raising is that when these problems present themselves the bank is not private, it is an open office where very good bank officials unfortunately can be heard helping customers and sometimes the customers business can be heard by others.
“My constituents are anxious to emphasise that your staff are excellent in every way but because of these issues they are under a lot of pressure.
“I am writing to you seeking an upgrade of services for the AIB branch in Manorhamilton, preferably a return to counter services full time or three days a week or at the very least a second ATM internal cash and cheque lodgement machine for the premises.
“The AIB customers based in North Leitrim deserve this and the town requires a functioning bank with services to continue to operate in Manorhamilton,” said Deputy Feighan.
