Bank of Ireland announces update to COVID-19 services and supports

• Majority of closed branches will reopen on 29 June, with ATMs at these locations also accepting cash and cheque lodgements from this date
• Dedicated supports for healthcare workers, carers, self-isolating customers, mortgage holders and businesses remain a priority
• Bank supports the roll out of additional supports planned for Irish businesses and stands ready to process applications for customers without delay as soon as these are in place

Monday, June 8, – In the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bank of Ireland announced a number of supports for customers impacted by COVID-19. The Bank also made operational changes across its contact centres, office locations, and branch network to safeguard critical services, respond to a significant shift in how customers are banking, and support social distancing requirements.

The Bank has been keeping all operations and services under review in line with the progress being made to re-open the economy, public health advice, and the evolving needs of our customers for branch, telephone and online banking. With welcome progress being made on the nationwide easing of restrictions and reopening of the economy, Bank of Ireland will be taking a number of steps to respond to the changing landscape, including:

• Reopening the majority of closed branches: The Bank kept 161 branches nationwide fully open and operational through the lockdown, while closing other locations to help safeguard critical services. The majority of these closed branches will reopen on Monday 29 June. The full list of locations and opening hours is set out below. In advance, modifications will be made to allow for social distancing and the protection of customers and colleagues in branch. Branches in colleges, hospitals and airports will remain closed.
• Returning all services to ATMs: Since late March, due to operational changes as a result of COVID-19, ATMs at closed branch locations continued to provide cash withdrawal services but lodgement services were withdrawn. These ATMs will again offer lodgement as well as withdrawal services – 24 hours a day – from 29 June.
• Ongoing dedicated COVID-19 supports: The range of supports put in place for over 65s, carers and healthcare workers will continue to be available and prioritised. The Bank is also communicating with all personal and business customers on a three month payment break to offer to extend this break for a further three months if required, and is preparing to manage increased queries and applications from business customers when Government schemes are finalised.
• Extending the fast-tracking of payments to SME suppliers: To support cashflow for suppliers to the Bank, in the early weeks of the crisis standard payment terms were reduced from 30 days to within five days for more than 1,000 SME suppliers nationwide. This has been extended and will be in place for the remainder of 2020 to ease the cash flow pressures on businesses.

Gavin Kelly, CEO of Retail Ireland at Bank of Ireland, commented: “We have been monitoring and adapting our operations throughout COVID-19 to reflect customer demand and public health advice. As the economy starts to reopen, which is critically important for families and businesses across Ireland, we are updating our operations over the coming weeks.

“In line with Phase 3, we will reopen most closed branches from 29 June, while making changes to ensure that social distancing can be maintained for the safety of our customers and colleagues. ATM services will also return to full operations. We will also continue to offer all of our dedicated COVID-19 services for customers requiring specific support, including personal customers and businesses.”

“As a leading lender to Irish businesses, and the largest lender to the agri sector, supporting our small business customers is a top priority for Bank of Ireland. As well as payment breaks and other support for customers, we are fast-tracking payments to our SME suppliers for the remainder of 2020 to help ease the cash flow pressures on businesses.

“We continue to see steady demand for support from our SME customers, as well as increasing enquiries about the State supports which are planned to be introduced. As businesses start to reopen they are keen to access these supports. We are preparing our operations and resources to ensure that as soon as the full range of State supports are ready to be rolled out we can process applications for customers without delay. We stand ready to play our part in supporting businesses across Ireland as they reopen.”

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Full list of locations and opening hours:

The following locations (83) will reopen on Monday, June 29. Locations with an asterisk will open from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. All other locations will open from 10am to 1pm, Monday to Friday.

Branches (7) offering counter service, advice and self-service banking:

Branches (76) offering advice and self-service banking: