Three local Ulster Bank branches close today

Ulster Bank branches in Trim, Kilcock and Ardee will close at 1pm today in the next phase of the bank's withdrawal from the Irish market.

The three local branches are among 12 nationwide that are part of the first tranche of Ulster Bank branches to close.

However, they are due to re-open as Permanent TSB branches at the end of this month or early in February in a deal struck between the two banks.

A further 13 branches that are also due to become Permanent TSB branches will close in a week's time.

However, no date has yet been given for when the remaining branches including Navan will close.

Ulster Bank was the first bank to open a branch in Trim and has had a presence in the town since 1861. It occupies a landmark building on High Street designed by architect James Hamilton.

News that Permanent TSB would take over the branch was welcomed locally by customers of the bank who previously had to travel to Navan or Maynooth to access branches and it also means no reduction in the number of banks operating in the town.

Meanwhile, Ulster Bank has resumed freezing accounts from today which have passed the six month's notice period. While the process of freezing accounts had begun late last year, it was paused on 9th December to prevent customers facing financial difficulty over Christmas.