Aideen Speer, office manager at P Clarke and Sons, is concerned at the impact the bank closure will have on business
LOCAL businesses have expressed shock at the pending closure of the Lisnaskea branch of the Danske Bank on 5th December this year.
The bank has insisted there will be no job losses, and that staff will reallocate to nearby branches or to other roles.
It gave as the reason for closure the fact that many customers now visit branches less frequently, and are using other ways to bank, such as telephone banking, online banking and mobile banking.
But, the argument cuts little ice with local businesses who are the bank’s customers.
Tommy Clarke, the managing director of P.Clarke & Sons said he was ‘disappointed’ at the news.
And, the president of Lisnaskea Chamber of Commerce, Maisie McElwaine told the Herald that closure would mean a big blow to the town.
Mr Clarke, whose company employs 120 staff, told the Herald: “It’s going to pile even more inconvenience on people, particularly with the economy of the area being so difficult.
“As well as that, it’s not good for the town that a banking business right in the middle of the town is going to close. What’s going to replace it.”
He said he had nothing but good to say about the bank’s staff.
“They have all been great, and I suppose we will stay with the Danske Bank because they have given us a professional service at all times, but it is going to create an inconvenience for us.”
Ms McElwaine said her company, McElwaine Security Services Ltd, used the bank for posted lodgments.
“Most of our customers make direct payments to the bank, but you still get cash and cheques that you have to lodge. I know internet banking is a big thing now with personal customers, but with businesses lodging money posted, it’s going to be a big blow to the town.”
“I wasn’t aware of anything happening till I got a letter to say it was closing in early December. My first reaction? I was very disappointed.”
SDLP Erne East Councillor, Richie McPhillips, said closure was ‘a bitter pill to swallow’ for many local customers and businesses alike. He operates an insurance brokerage on Main Street.
“Many of the bank’s customers in Lisnaskea are elderly, not versed in internet banking and they are reassured by the personal relationship they have with bank staff to access their accounts and conduct their personal banking.”
Tony Wilcox, the Danske Bank’s managing director of personal banking, spoke of ‘consumer behaviour’ in an increasingly digital world.
“Customers now visit branches less frequently, and many are using other convenient ways to bank.
He said the bank had written to all of its Lisnaskea branch customers to assure them.
“Over the coming weeks”, he went on, customers will find details in the Lisnaskea branch of ‘support sessions’ that Danske Bank will be holding prior to the merger with the Enniskillen branch.
As from 5th December, all customer accounts will automatically transfer to the bank’s Enniskillen branch, and the bank building placed on the market.
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere