Local credit unions can fill the gaps created by the exit of banking services from rural towns.
That's according to Benny O’ Connell of Benny's Deli in Castlerea in response to AIBs decision to remove cash services from the town.
The move from ATM, cash and cheque services will take place across 70 branches nationwide over the next 3 months, with Longford, Ballinamore and Ballinasloe also losing the access to withdrawals and deposits at their branches.
The bank is urging customers to use local post offices for cash services, with a deal reached between AIB and An Post recently.
The decision has been met with major criticism from both private and business customers across the region.
The Castlerea business man has called on the Government to support local credit unions in providing more day to day banking services to customers in the affected area:
From the government point of view they need to look at the credit unions and help them fill the gap created by the banks in rural towns
Maybe do what ever is necessary to make the credit unions a viable option for businesses and private customers
The credit unions are here, they are in every town and they're not going anywhere.
They are committed to the local people and that's the way to go.
