Bank manager spearheads new age friendly programme for older customers

By Mary Dennehy

A BANK manager from Knocklyon has spearheaded a new age friendly programme at Bank of Ireland, which now has a dedicated staff member across all branches who is appointed as a ‘champion for age friendliness and older customers’.

Age Friendly Ireland has announced Bank of Ireland as being the first retail bank to be accredited by their Age Friendly Business Recognition Programme, a nationwide programme that is part of the wider Age Friendly Ireland Cities and Counties Programme, which provides support and technical guidance.

Knocklyon native Gavin Leech, and the branch manager of Montrose Bank of Ireland, was involved in the programme since its inception, starting a journey which has now led to all branches becoming accredited by Age Friendly Ireland.

Liam McLoughlin CEO of Bank of Ireland said: “We are delighted to be recognized by Age Friendly Ireland for our ongoing efforts in this area and the accreditation is testament to the work conducted by our team in branches around the country.

“All branches now have a dedicated member of staff who has been appointed as a champion for age friendliness and older customers.

“We continue to identify further areas of improvement to ensure that we are providing the best service possible for all customers.”

According to Hugh O’ Connor of Age Friendly Ireland: “All Bank of Ireland branches have now consulted with their older customers and identified an extensive range of priority areas where practical responses can be introduced.

“Importantly each Bank of Ireland branch has now nominated an ‘Age Friendly Champion’, the role of which is to promote and advance those age friendly commitments in-house and act as an ambassador for the branches older customers.

“Age Friendly Ireland is very pleased to recognise this network wide commitment on the part of the bank.’’