Danske Bank to close branches in Maghera and Dungiven

Danske Bank branches in Maghera and Dungiven will close later this year, it has been announced.

Customers at both branches are set to receive letters this morning informing them of the news.

A spokesperson for Danske confirmed this morning that both branches will close on November 14.

It is understood that the cash machine service will also be withdrawn from both branches on the same date.

The Dungiven branch will merge with the Limavady branch while the Maghera branch will merge with the Magherafelt branch.

Staff at both branches will be relocated so there will be no job losses.

Commenting on the announcement, Tony Wilcox, Danske Bank’s Managing Director of Personal Banking, said: “Consumer behaviour in an increasingly digital world is changing the face of traditional banking. Customers now visit branches less frequently and many are using other convenient ways to bank. To keep pace with these changes we continue to increase our investment in alternative banking channels such as telephone banking, online banking and mobile banking”.

Mr Wilcox continued: “I fully understand that this news may be disappointing for our customers, but I can assure them that Danske Bank remains committed to continuing to meet their banking needs.”

Over the coming weeks customers will find details in the Dungiven and Maghera branches of support sessions that Danske Bank will be holding there prior to the merger with the Limavady and Magherafelt branches.  These sessions, available outside of normal banking hours, will offer further guidance on the different banking channels that Danske Bank can offer. Customers can register their interest in attending one of these support sessions, by speaking to any member of the team in both branches.

East Derry MLA Cathal Ó hOisín says thousands of loyal customers will be affected by the closures.

“I am severely disappointed that Danske Bank will close in Dungiven and also Maghera on 14^th November,” the Sinn Féin man said.

“Danske are telling us the service will be transferred from Dungiven to Limavady.  There has been a bank on this site since 1871 and there are thousands of loyal customers in the immediate area.  This is yet another shop front closure on the street and the building will be put up for sale when it closes.  It will involve a decreased footfall in that end of the village and the reduction in services is going to have a huge impact on elderly people.

“The Danske branch in Dungiven is the only Danske bank on the main road between Derry and Belfast and is excessively used by travellers so it will cause further inconvenience for them.”