Bank of Ireland has today announced its biggest ATM investment in the last decade with new ATMs to be installed in every Bank of Ireland branch across the island of Ireland.
The lender has 182 branches across the island of Ireland – 169 in Ireland and 13 in Northern Ireland.
The investment of more than €60m will see a range of branch improvements across the Bank of Ireland network, including the new ATMs and branch revamps.
The bank said its new ATMs will have greater cash processing capacity and will cut energy use by more than half.
The ATMs can be used for both withdrawals and lodgements and the majority will “recycle” cash, which means that cash deposited can be used for withdrawals.
Bank of Ireland said this maximises ATM availability and will support its customers with better access to cash when they need it.
Today’s investment also covers five years of servicing and maintenance.
The bank also confirmed today that 18 branches will be refurbished this year.
The branches in Leinster due to be refurbished are Stillorgan, Terenure, Malahide, Ranelagh, Blackrock and Coolock – all of which are in Dublin – as well as its Castlecomer branch in Co Kilkenny and its Birr branch in Co Offaly.
In Munster, Bank of Ireland branches in Scariff in Co Clare, Bandon in Co Cork, Douglas in Co Cork, Killarney in Co Kerry and Lisduggan in Co Waterford will see a revamp.
And the bank’s branches in Falcarragh in Co Donegal, Gort in Co Galway, Mainguard Street in Galway city, Belmullet and Westport in Co Mayo will also be refurbished this year.
Susan Russell, CEO of Bank of Ireland Retail Ireland, said that given the large number of customers which the bank serves, major re-investment is required every year.
“We are always investing to ensure customers have access to cash and other banking services in a modern and comfortable environment. Each year we refurbish many of our branches and that’s a constant, rolling project of enhancements,” Susan Russell said.
“As a full service retail bank, with a presence in communities throughout the island of Ireland, we are committed to continually improving our services and the financial wellbeing of customers. This means re-investing purposefully in branches, contact centres, technology, ATMs and other infrastructure to ensure our customers have the most modern and efficient banking available,” she added.
As well as the €60m investment in branches and ATMs announced today, a €36m project for the Bank of Ireland’s College Green buildings in Dublin city centre will also start his year.
Bank of Ireland said this will be the largest single investment in College Green in over 200 years, and will improve facilities for customers and colleagues, undertake a range of repairs, upgrading and restoration work, and significantly improve the energy efficiency of the complex.
Earlier this month, Minister for Finance Michael McGrath brought legislative proposals to Cabinet to ensure there is no further decline in the numbers of ATMs for people to access cash in towns and villages around the country.
The Access to Cash Bill will give the Central Bank powers to compel banks to provide ATMs in areas where people have difficulty withdrawing cash at the moment.
There has been a sharp decline in the amount of cash being withdrawn since the pandemic. Before the outbreak of Covid, around €20 billion was withdrawn annually from ATMs, but this fell to €13 billion in 2022.
However, Minister McGrath said he believes it is important to ensure there is reasonable access to cash across society.
