AN MLA has called for improved to access banking services after it was revealed that none of the 15 newly-approved banking hubs are coming to Northern Ireland. 

LINK, the UK’s cash access and ATM network, recently reassessed areas in need of banking services, and announced that it would create 15 banking hubs across the UK. 

However, none have been allocated within Northern Ireland, despite towns such as Lisnaskea seeing the closure of all banks. 

During an assembly session on Tuesday, DUP MLA Deborah Mrs. Erskine pointed specifically to Lisnaskea as an example of a community in her constituency that urgently needs a banking hub. 

Mrs. Erskine urged Finance Minister, Dr. Caoimhe Archibald to advocate strongly for Northern Ireland’s underserved areas during an upcoming meeting with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). 

The Minister will host a round table later this month, where the FCA’s chief executive and other key banking industry representatives are set to discuss regional access-to-cash issues.

"The Minister will know that I have asked about the issue before, because banking facilities are vital in rural areas," Erskine said,  noting that the situation has not improved despite the new rules, emphasizing that the lack of action affects many rural communities.

"I welcome the round table but urge the Minister to make the case for Northern Ireland to the FCA when it attends."

Dr. Archibald responded by confirming her commitment to revisit the criteria for assessing banking hub needs with the FCA, noting that the issue was raised in previous discussions with LINK, Cash Access UK, and other major banks. 

Dr. Archibald admitted that early feedback suggests the new access-to-cash rules have not changed outcomes for Northern Irish communities, underscoring the need for further investigation.