Continued banking closures risk shutting more out from vital financial services Bank of Ireland is closing 15 branches in the north, including that at Ormeau Road. Picture: Mal McCann Gary McDonald Business Editor Related stories THE decision by Bank of Ireland to shut more than half of its remaining 28 branches in Northern Ireland merely underlines the continuing inexorable march towards digital banking. It means more than a third of all bank branches in the north will have shut within the past five years as lenders cut back their networks to boost flagging profits. And it leaves the 'big four' grouping of Danske Bank, Ulster Bank, Bank of Ireland and First Trust (now operating as AIB) with just 82 branches combined.