AIB is bucking the online trend and plans to invest in branch modernization

Allied Irish Banks (AIB) plans to invest around €40 million to modernize its branch network across Ireland. This means 35 renovations and 112 branches, the largest number of branches in the country. The investment will be made by the end of next year.

The bank will invest in its banking halls and improve the customer experience by adding better, autism-friendly spaces for interaction between customers and employees, but also providing more private rooms when needed.

Other improvements include improving ATM services for visually impaired customers to make banking services more accessible.

AIB currently has around 10,000 employees and more than three million customers, making it one of Ireland’s largest banks.

The 35 branch renovations will be carried out in two phases. Phase one includes Dunmanway, Killarney, Letterkenny, Tallaght, Tullow, Tubbercurry, Clifden, Ennistymon, Millstreet and Killorglin branches.

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

This also includes Edenderry, Killaloe, Kilmallock, Rathdowney, Western Road (Cork), Dingle, Kenmare, Killybegs, Lismore, Spiddal and Youghal branches.

The bank has also reiterated that this move demonstrates how serious it is about maintaining 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 fall by a further 10% as a result of these upgrades and upgrades, supporting its efforts to achieve net zero in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by the end of the decade. further strengthened. It also already uses renewable electricity sourced from two solar farms in Wexford.

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

“Our branches will be places where all of our customers can discuss their finances with us in a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. That’s why we’re investing €40 million in modernizing these locations and supporting AIB’s strategy to further reduce our CO2 emissions.”

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