Three Leitrim banks are set to be refurbished but no extra services added

The three Leitrim banks are part of 34 banks around the country that will be refurbished as part of a €40M investment the company is making with the aim of reducing its operational carbon emissions.

The move will also see improvements to ATM services at the branches, however there will be no change in the services offered within the banks, according to Paddy O’Donnell, Spokesperson for AIB. 

The need for investment in banking services in Leitrim was noted in recent years with Manorhamilton residents protesting cuts to services in 2022, while Sligo-Leitrim TD Frank Feighan sent a letter earlier this year asking for improvements to be made to services in the town.  

The investment in banks in Leitrim was welcomed by Finola McGuire, President of the Leitrim chamber of commerce, who is also a business owner in Carrick-on-Shannon. She also highlighted how vital it is that banks in Leitrim remain equipped for customers and business people in the community to walk in and interact with staff personally. 

 “Its great to see that they are reinvesting, I can see the need in the one I am familiar with here on main street, it's well attended and the floors are well worn, and the staff are there to help us at all times, so I would hope all that would stay,” she said.

Despite the rise of digital banking she feels that in person banking remains a necessary community service that should be maintained in the county.

“It is extremely important, it has never lost its need. I have been here on the street nearly thirty years in business and I need to frequent the bank on a weekly basis … I see queues at our bank here each morning before it opens so there are still people who have business within the bank, it is much easier to get an answer directly from a member of staff, who is facing you, then to be put on hold and listening to music and having to go to different departments over the phone to get an answer to somewhat simple questions,” she said.

“I totally welcome the fact that they have still remained customer friendly here in Leitrim and look forward to seeing it continue. They are needed and they are absolutely needed and the same goes for the post office and the other offices that were in town, “ she added.

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