Permanent tsb opens for business in former Ulster Bank branches

• Major nationwide expansion of branch network as a result of recent acquisition of 25 branch locations
• €25m invested by permanent tsb to provide continuity of service for Ulster Bank customers
• All 25 new branches will offer cash services and feature former Ulster Bank staff

Permanent tsb has increased its branch network to 98 locations throughout Ireland with the acquisition of 25 former Ulster Bank branches. 24 of the 25 branches have now re-opened for business under the permanent tsb name, with the 25th (Westport) due to re-open on 20 February.

The branch expansion forms part of permanent tsb’s broader acquisition of €6.2bn Ulster Bank performing non-tracker mortgages, its performing micro SME business and entire Lombard asset finance business, in addition to more than 25% of its branch locations.

permanent tsb has invested €25m in refurbishing the branches, installing new ATMs and IT equipment, and new signage and display. The branches will offer cash services and will be staffed by colleagues who worked in them when the location was owned by Ulster Bank. More than 125 Ulster Bank staff transferred to permanent tsb as part of the branch acquisition.

Customers who wish to open accounts in the new branches can do so in person, by phone or online using permanent tsb’s award-winning digital account opening process on their mobile app.

To coincide with the opening of the new branches and to facilitate people who wish to use them, permanent tsb has updated its Ulster Bank Customer Support Hub dedicated to supporting customers who wish to move their account to permanent tsb.

The 25 former Ulster Bank branches which are now permanent tsb branches are:

Patrick Farrell, permanent tsb Retail Banking Director, said:

“This is a proud moment for permanent tsb and all our colleagues. We are delighted to open branches in 25 communities that would otherwise have lost a bank branch from Ulster Bank’s closure.

We are offering customers in these communities a very warm welcome, great service and, most importantly, new competition and choice in meeting their personal and business banking needs.

Former Ulster Bank customers can continue to do business in the same building as before, with the same people as before, but we are here to serve the whole community and would encourage everyone to drop in and see for themselves what we offer.   

Our €25m branch investment programme is a real statement of intent from permanent tsb. We are committed to serving these communities and supporting local customers.”

The Bank also plans to conduct additional refurbishment works in 4 of the new branches (Buncrana, Ballyjamesduff, Enniscorthy and Trim) which will result in these branches being closed for approximately 2-3 weeks over the coming months.