Danske Bank has announced that it will be closing two of its branches later this year – Main Street in Bangor and Lisburn Road in Belfast. The branches will close on 24 May.

Commenting on the announcement, Richard Caldwell, Danske Bank’s Managing Director of Personal Banking & Small Business, said:

“The way customers use branches has changed significantly in recent years. Many are now choosing to use different ways to bank with us, such as digital or banking on the telephone. As a business, we must respond to these changes, therefore priorities for investment will adapt and change.

“Sometimes this can mean investing more in certain key branches. Through transformational upgrades, we have invested over £3 million in key local branches over the past two years. This development programme will continue in 2019 - for example we are currently upgrading our other branch in Bangor at Bloomfield Shopping Centre.

“On other occasions, unfortunately it means taking hard decisions to close certain branches that are being underused. We do not take such decisions lightly.”

Danske Bank continues to invest in both its digital channels and its day-to-day banking services. Seventeen Danske Bank branches are open on Saturdays, while advisers are also available on the telephone or online from Monday to Sunday and in the evenings. Through Danske Bank’s partnership with the Post Office customers with debit cards can check their account balances, withdraw cash and make personal or business cash lodgements at any UK Post Office and can also lodge cheques using a pre-printed credit slip at any Post Office in Northern Ireland.

After the 24 May Danske Bank will have a network of 40 branches across Northern Ireland.