Two Mayo First Active branches, in Ballina and Castlebar, are to be closed following the announcement this week that First Active and Ulster Bank are to merge. It is expected that up to 12 staff from the two branches will be redeployed to work in local Ulster Bank branches. There are six Ulster Banks in Mayo; in Castlebar, Ballina, Westport, Ballinrobe, Claremorris, and Ballyhaunis, but staff won’t know where they will be reassigned until a voluntary redundancy scheme has been completed.
The two institutions will be merged under one brand in a bid to cut costs meaning 750 job losses on the island of Ireland. However Ulster Bank has stressed that it expects to meet the necessary job cuts through voluntary redundancy packages. The package is open to staff of First Active and Ulster Bank across the country.
Customers in the two Mayo branches will be transferred to their local Ulster Bank and have been guaranteed they will receive a wider level of services as a result.
The voluntary severance package will be made available to staff throughout the group. Meetings will be held with employees and employee representatives in the coming days to plan the merger of First Active and Ulster Bank and to present and discuss details of the package available. The merger of the two banking institutions is expected to be completed towards the end of 2009.
The Ulster Bank advised First Active customers that they need not take any action at this time. However should customers have any immediate queries they can call the following helpline number 1800 303 068 or log onto www.firstactive.ie
