Business

First Trust Bank brand to disappear from high streets next year

The First Trust brand will disappear in Northern Ireland next year when the bank is rebranded as AIB
The First Trust brand will disappear in Northern Ireland next year when the bank is rebranded as AIB The First Trust brand will disappear in Northern Ireland next year when the bank is rebranded as AIB

THE First Trust banking brand will disappear from the north's high streets next year, its parent company has confirmed.

Its remaining 15 branches are to be rebranded as AIB from 2020.

And it brings to an end more than a quarter of the century of the First Trust name in the local financial markets.

First Trust Bank was created in 1991 when TSB Northern Ireland merged with the AIB Group's other interests.

But the bank can actually trace its existence back to 1816 with the founding of the old Belfast Savings Bank.

Earlier this year the near century-old practice of all the north’s main banks printing their own notes will end next year when First Trust became the first to end the custom.

It will switch to dispensing Bank of England currency from its ATM network in 2020, and from June 2022 the distinctive notes will cease to become legal tender.

Adrian Moynihan, head of First Trust Bank in Northern Ireland, said: “AIB is proud of everything First Trust Bank has accomplished since its creation in 1992.

“We are keen to build on our strong and positive presence in Northern Ireland in the future and our decision to rebrand First Trust Bank as AIB reflects this commitment.

“It is a natural progression in our transformation, given that we are AIB in both the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain. It reflects our commitment to our presence in Northern Ireland and our desire to provide all our customers with a consistent and exceptional customer experience."

He added: “We will continue to back our customers in Northern Ireland to achieve their dreams and ambitions through our digital proposition roll-outs like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

“This closer integration will help us bring customers the products they want as soon as possible. We remain committed to supporting the Northern Ireland economy and the customers we serve."

The bank says there will be no interruption of services to customers during the rebrand, and they will not be required to take any action as a result of the change.