AIB bucks the online trend with plans to invest in branch upgrades

Allied Irish Banks (AIB) is planning to invest some €40m in upgrading its network of branches throughout Ireland. This will mean 35 refurbishments, and will involve 112 branches, the largest number of branches in the country. The investment will be made until the end of next year. 

The bank will invest in its banking halls, as well as improving customer experience by adding better, autism-friendly spaces for customers and employees to interact, but also having more private spaces available, if and when needed. 

Other enhancements include bettering ATM services for visually impaired clients, in an attempt to make banking services more accessible. 

AIB has about 10,000 employees and more than three million clients at the moment, making it one of the largest banks in Ireland. 

The 35 branch refurbishments will be done in two phases. Phase one will include the Dunmanway, Killarney, Letterkenny, Tallaght, Tullow, Tubbercurry, Clifden, Ennistymon, MIllstreet and Killorglin branches. 

Phase two will include the Dundrum Town Centre, Carndonagh, Cashel, Castletownbere, Castleblayney, Cobh, Carrick-on-Suir, Ballinamore, Buncrana, Abberyfeale, Caherciveen, Athy, Ballinrobe and Cahir branches. 

It will also include the Edenderry, Killaloe, Kilmallock, Rathdowney, Western Road (Cork), Dingle, Kenmare, Killybegs, Lismore, Spiddal and Youghal branches. 

The bank has also reiterated that the move shows how serious it is about keeping its cash services and branches across the country, in line with Ireland’s recent National Payments Strategy. 

AIB says its operational carbon emissions are expected to decrease another 10% because of these refurbishments and upgrades, further strengthening its efforts to achieve net zero across Scope 1 and 2 emissions by the end of the decade. It also already makes use of renewable electricity, sourced from two Wexford solar farms. 

Geraldine Casey, the managing director of retail banking, said in a press release: “While the vast majority of our customers manage their day to day finances, when they want and where they want digitally, we recognise that they also value the face-to-face service provided in our branches, particularly when it comes to important financial decisions and support. 

“Our branches will be places where all our customers are comfortable discussing their finances with us in a welcoming environment. That’s why we’re investing €40m to upgrade these locations and supporting AIB’s strategy to further lower our carbon emissions.

“We remain committed to these communities and look forward to making further investments in our branch network in the future.”