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Bank's no cashier days "a
disaster"
23.11.12
A BANK of Ireland cost-saving measure that leaves
customers without over-the-counter cashier services
two days a week has been branded “a disaster” in
Moville.
The new self-service days - Wednesdays and Thursdays
- have been introduced at more than 40 smaller
branches nationwide including the Foyleside town.
Cashiers are not available on these days and
customers must withdraw and lodge cash using the
existing ATM outside the branch and a new lodgement
machine inside the premises.
Bank of Ireland says the scheme has been rolled out
following a "very successful" pilot phase.
But the East Inishowen Business Association has
slated the measure and says Bank of Ireland is
missing a great opportunity. |
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Michael Doherty, vice-chairman of
East Inishowen Business Association. |
"With AIB saying it's
closing down in Moville, you would think Bank of
Ireland would see it as an opportunity to enhance
its level of service here rather than take away from
it," said the association's vice-chairman, Michael
Doherty. He said the non-cashier days resulted in
long queues on the other three days as people opted
for personal service.
"One day the machine that was counting the money
broke down and tore up the notes so people didn't
know if their lodgements had gone through or not,”
he said.
And Mr Doherty, who runs a local car dealership,
said one man had to pay for a 40km round-trip taxi
fare to Carn last week for cash.
"His card wasn’t working in any of the town’s ATMs
so he went into Bank of Ireland but it wasn’t a
cashier day and they couldn’t give him his own
money. He had to pay for a taxi to take him to the
Bank of Ireland in Carndonagh. Now if that's a
satisfactory service I would hate to see a bad
service," added Mr Doherty.
Bank of Ireland insists that alternatives exist for
80 per cent of over-the-counter transactions.
"Customer service improvement programmes and
investments in improved efficiency are ongoing in
our branch network. As part of these programmes, we
are upgrading our in-branch technology to facilitate
customers in managing routine transactions more
efficiently,” said a bank spokesperson.
"The increased efficiency and technology
improvements will allow Bank of Ireland to maintain
a local presence on a more cost efficient basis
through a full nationwide direct branch network.” |
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