With 170 branches in communities across Ireland and the largest branch network in the country, AIB supports its customers to bank how they want, when they want and where they want. Through its Portlaoise and Rathdowney branches in Co Laois, AIB is a key enabler of economic activity in the area. AIB’s chief customer officer Orlaith Ryan recently visited the AIB Portlaoise branch and branch manager Adrian Cummins to engage with customers and members of the wider community.
“AIB is proud to be embedded in communities across the country,” says Ryan. “We’re committed to Laois through our branch network and people, and branch manager Adrian Cummins and his team are here to support their customers in achieving the life they’re after.”
The AIB Community €1 Million Fund enables customers, members of the public and AIB employees to support charities that matter most to them in their region. In Laois, one of the beneficiaries is Kolbe Special School, which caters for children with severe to profound learning disabilities and/or autism.
“It was wonderful to meet some of the thriving businesses and customers we’re supporting who will continue to help develop and benefit communities within the region,” says Ryan. “And it was especially heartening to see the amazing work that the Kolbe Special School does first hand.”
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The Kolbe Special School received €20,000 after it was nominated by AIB customers and the public, as well as receiving an additional €6,000 through the AIB employee fund.
“On behalf of the pupils and staff thank you to the AIB Community €1 Million Fund for the very generous donation to Kolbe Special School,” says Orlagh Mahon, principal of Kolbe Special School. “All money will be invested in resources and equipment to enhance our pupils’ learning. This kindness and support is helping to create better learning opportunities and life experiences for our pupils. We greatly appreciate AIB’s generosity and everyone who took the time to nominate us and to AIB for creating a fund that recognises charitable organisations and the 49 children we support every day.”
Community support is one part of AIB’s wider role in Laois, where it has a long history of supporting local enterprise. Adrian Cummins pointed to the county’s thriving agriculture sector and growing interest among businesses in making their operations more sustainable.
That local presence helps branch teams build long-term relationships with households, farms and businesses, while gaining a close understanding of the opportunities and pressures facing customers across the county. Whether customers are planning a big life event, seeking finance to grow a business or investing in more sustainable practices, they can draw on experienced staff in the community alongside AIB’s wider digital services.
AIB’s community involvement extends beyond banking. As a sponsor of the GAA for more than 35 years, it works with the organisation to promote men’s Gaelic football, ladies football, hurling and camogie across the country.
That same local focus is reflected in the support available at AIB’s Portlaoise and Rathdowney branches, where advisers help customers plan for the life, they’re after through guidance on investing, retirement planning, protection and more.
Customers can also manage everyday banking through the new AIB mobile app, allowing them to bank when they want, how they want and where they want. That’s made easier by the ability to send instant payments using just a mobile number through the Zippay function. The new app also features new insights and budgeting tools and card management so you can freeze and unfreeze cards.
This combination of digital convenience and local expertise gives customers flexibility. Routine tasks can be managed through the app, while branch teams remain available for more detailed conversations about financial plans and decisions.
Whichever channel customers use, security remains central. AIB regularly shares advice to help people protect themselves from scams and provides 24/7 support to customers who believe they may have been defrauded. Its guidance is simple: wait a second and double-check any unexpected request for personal or banking details.
Pausing before responding, checking an unexpected message through a trusted channel and never sharing security details with an unsolicited caller can make a meaningful difference. Anyone concerned about suspicious activity should contact AIB through an official number or trusted channel as soon as possible.
