The bank has also experienced a significant surge in customer calls and queries during the pandemic, having responded to over 16,000 calls in the last four weeks alone. During this period, AIB has also kept all its branches open and operational, introduced dedicated vulnerable customer opening hours until 11am each day and recently launched a dedicated helpline 0345 6460319.
AIB has also recently announced a collaboration with Trinity College Dublin backed by over £2 million funding to establish a research hub at the University to urgently accelerate its immunology project designed to develop a vaccine which can tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. Alongside this, the AIB Group has also launched the ‘AIB Together’ initiative to help support local communities by raising much needed funds for charities who are central to the management of the pandemic. Staff have set a target of raising €1m with the Group agreeing to match all funds raised to support local charities, such as Age NI, who are working hard to support our most vulnerable at this difficult time.
Speaking about the Bank’s response to COVID-19 Adrian Moynihan, Head of AIB in Northern Ireland, said: “These are extraordinary times that require extraordinary measures. In the face of this unprecedented medical, societal and economic crisis, we are keen to ensure we do everything we can to support our customers, our communities and our team. We have mobilised all the resources at our disposal in a strategic way. At a macro level we are proud to be investing in a national and international endeavour alongside Trinity College Dublin to save lives and wish that project every success in the weeks ahead. Our amazing staff have also been keen to help and are already developing various creative fundraising methods to support the ‘AIB Together’ initiative.
“Meanwhile, we are very conscious of the pressures that our personal and business customers are under as a result of the global pandemic and have been working hard to offer them the best tailored support possible to alleviate their financial concerns. I am proud that our team has been able to support over 2,000 customers to date and the fact that we are approving over 99% of their requests for support, is tangible evidence of our commitment to playing our part.
“To date, much of the support our customers have been seeking has been for repayment holidays, with only 1 in 5 seeking additional funding or working capital. However, as we look forward we do expect the number of requests from customers for extra funding to increase and we are now delighted to be in a position to offer customers access to the government backed CBILS scheme where this is the most appropriate solution for them.”
“As the situation evolves, we can assure customers that we will remain flexible in our response and continually review our services as necessary, always putting their needs and safety at the forefront of our thinking.”
Business and Personal banking services are available in-branch, online or by phone. In addition, business customers can also avail of specialist support from the bank’s Small Business Centre, regional business support centres and Internet Business Banking.
For more information around all of AIB’s COVID-19 customer focused initiatives, please visit: https://aibni.co.uk/covid19
Head of AIB Northern Ireland, Adrian Moynihan
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