The Finance Minister John O'dowd Has Hosted a Banking Roundtable
at Stormont to Discuss Access to Cash.
Speaking After the Meeting, Minister O'dowd Said: “I
Welcomed the Opportunity Today to Bring Together a Broad Range of
Key Stakeholders to Discuss the Issues and Developments Most
Central to Accessing Cash Here.
I Pressed on the Sector the Importance of Maintaining
Access to Cash and Essential Banking Services in Our Local
Communities, Especially for Our Most Vulnerable Citizens Who Need
In-person Advice and Services, As Well As Our Small Businesses
and Community and Voluntary Groups.”
The Roundtable Was Attended by Organisations from the Banking and
Finance Industry, Trade Unions, Business Bodies and Consumer and
Community Representatives. Issues Discussed Ranged from New
Access to Cash Rules to Banking Hubs, Community Outreach
Activities and Digital Inclusion.
The Minister Said: Over the past Decade, Almost Two out
of Every Three Traditional Bank Branches in Our Communities Have
Closed or Are Planning to Close. That Represents a Significant
Change to the Social Fabric of Our Towns and Villages –
Particularly for Our Many Rural Citizens.
Following Today's Roundtable, My Officials Will
Immediately Begin Drafting a Report Highlighting the Key Issues
Raised by Stakeholders. This Will Be Submitted to Treasury and
the Regulatory Authorities Seeking Action.
It Is Important We Find Local Solutions to Local Issues
and Continue to Work to Enact Change.”
Notes to Editors:
1. According to Atm Operator Link, Ni Currently Has 1,403
Free-to-use Atms, Equating to One Free-to-use Atm for Every 1,369
Residents Compared to One for Every 2,025 Residents in Britian).
2. According to Which, There Has Been a 63% Reduction in
Traditional Bank Branches Here over the past Decade, with 165
Branches Closed or Closing Since the Start of 2015. There Are 98
Branches Open As of the End of 2025.
