Banking and Payments Federation launches national information campaign for customers moving bank accounts.
Ireland’s main retail banks opened more than 55,000 personal current accounts in the four weeks ending 10 June with some 222,000 personal current accounts opened so far in 2022, according to the Banking and Payments Federation (BPFI).
A new BPFI data series, which will be updated on a monthly basis, also shows the average number of personal current accounts opened per week to date in 2022 was 9,600.
“BPFI and its members will continue our intensive efforts together as an industry and side-by-side with a range of key stakeholders until the last customer account is closed”
The figures come as BPFI in conjunction with the five retail banks, have today launched a public information and awareness campaign aimed at providing comprehensive step-by-step advice and practical tools to personal and business bank customers who need to move their bank accounts as KBC and Ulster Bank exit from the Irish market.
Moving account
At the heart of the campaign launch is the website movingaccount.ie on which consumers and businesses can find in-depth information and advice including a step-by-step guide on how to move or switch an account and how to manage other services such as direct debits, standing orders, overdrafts and card payments.
The site also contains a section for those who may be providing assistance to customers in vulnerable circumstances, a section on basic bank accounts, information on fraud awareness and prevention as well as links to external resources where customers can access further assistance.
The information campaign is being supported by a substantial and targeted advertising campaign which will include national and local radio and digital advertising. This will run over the coming weeks with a follow up campaign due to take place in the Autumn.
Upheaval in moving bank
“BPFI and its members fully recognise the upheaval which customers are currently experiencing and understand that many customers may feel daunted by the task involved in moving their banking services,” said Brian Hayes, CEO of Banking and Payments Federation Ireland.
“To help address this today we have launched a nationwide information campaign to provide both personal and business customers with detailed information on all the elements they need to consider as they move to a new banking provider. We are urging all customers to visit our new website movingaccount.ie to fully inform themselves of how the process works and to use the checklist we have created to guide them through the journey.”
“Today we have also published new figures showing that over 220,000 personal accounts have been opened so far this year with over 9,000 personal current accounts being opened on a weekly basis. And while we’re very mindful there is still a job of work to be done in the weeks and month ahead these figures very much demonstrate the intensive efforts underway by the banks to onboard new customers as quickly and efficiently as possible. We will continue to track these numbers in the coming months which will allow members to assess and manage operational capacity within the system. We also plan to release this data on a monthly basis and through the close engagement we have had with the credit unions through CUSOP and Payac, and with An Post Money, we will be able expand our analysis further by their inclusion in future.”
“Our campaign launch today is just one part of an extensive programme of work underway by members, which also includes collaborative planning, customer communication, customer supports and stakeholder engagement. BPFI is continuing to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including Direct Debit Originators, on a regular basis and in this context is it important to note the cross industry effort and support required across the board to ensure the process of moving account is a smooth as possible for customers.”
“While there is still a significant task ahead well into the latter half of this year, BPFI and its members will continue our intensive efforts together as an industry and side-by-side with a range of key stakeholders until the last customer account is closed.”
