New security arrangements will be needed at post offices in the region as a result of AIBs decision to remove cash services from four local branches.
That's according to President of Longford Chamber of Commerce, Fiona Fenlon who says the bank's decision will create security concerns for local businesses.
70 branches around the country are set to go coin free as the bank aims to move more services online.
While the bank's partnership with An Post will be expanded, so that customers can lodge and withdraw money from their account through their local post offices, both public and commercial customers are unhappy with the decision.
Chamber president Fiona Fenlon says businesses need reassurance on the new operations as soon as possible:
I would be concerned with security for business owners going into the post office where there would be a lot of people there.
Will it be as secure as the bank and will there be parameters put in place for that security.
We need to hear that from the post office, we need to hear what is being put in place in terns of additional staff to make people confident to use this facility.
Meanwhile,
Social Protection and Rural Development Minister Heather Humphreys says while she can understand people's concerns about the move, the reality is that people are using much less cash.
The Fine Gael Minister who's visiting community projects across Leitrim today says she can see a major benefit for Post Offices as a result of AIB's decision:
This is a commercial decision by AIB. I do understand the concerns of people in rural Ireland.
But I think we have to be honest here too. We know that banking has changed, we know that people are using cards and less people are using cash
I think this can also be positive for post offices, because it'll increase the footfall into post offices and they have a wide range of financial services.
