OPINION: Bank closures a huge blow to rural Ireland and the elderly
Reporter:
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THE decision of Bank of Ireland to close over 100 branches across Ireland on top of Ulster Bank s recent move to shut down its operations in the Republic has come as a body blow to the entire country.
The moves will have a particularly dramatic impact on rural communities in towns here in the Midlands such as Clara, Banagher, Edenderry, Templemore, Mountrath and Rathdowney.
They will also have a profound impact on elderly customers, many of whom are not comfortable with online transactions and prefer to visit their local branches to conduct business.