To ask the Minister for the Economy for an update on steps being taken to assist older people to access (i) local banks in person; and (ii) online banking, following cross-departmentally facilitated and funded classes on internet banking.

The Department for the Economy does not have direct responsibility for financial services, as the regulation of financial services is a reserved matter.

The Department of Finance has a limited role in directly influencing decisions by local banks for the same reason, however, does have a lead role in engaging with them on banking matters.

Minister Caoimhe Archibald MLA held a roundtable meeting with senior representatives from local banks on 1 May 2024. The Minister of Finance used this meeting to urge local banks to protect the local branch network and ensure communities, including older people, impacted by branch closures, are able to access banking services. The Minister also emphasised the importance of quickly rolling out further banking hubs in those areas left without bank branches.

The Finance Minister will continue to engage with banking representatives as well as the Credit Unions, Post Office, trade unions, business bodies, consumer and community organisations and also the Treasury and the regulatory authorities to see how the sector can best support customers.

In addition, the Department of Finance has a small Digital Inclusion team to promote online services and to give people the skills to navigate the online world. In 2023/24 The Go ON NI programme helped almost 7,000 people with digital training including sessions called “Organise Your Life Online” which included the topic of online banking.