DUN LAOGHAIRE residents are not just shopping for food at the town's newest supermarket, Bloomfields Food Hall -they can also buy some banking services at the AlB money store, the first supermarket bank in the Republic.

The concept has already taken off in a big way in American supermarkets where there are now nearly 3,800 such bank shops (compared to just over 326 ten years ago). The AIB bankingshop consists of a row of ATM, statement and quick lodge machines as well as a 24 hour emergency freephone with which to, for example, report stolen cards or other account problems. There is a small display area with the full range of account and product brochures as well as two private meeting rooms where a customer can have a discussion with one of the six full time staff, who work shifts to cover the 78 hours a week the bankingshop (and the supermarket) is open. There is no over-the-counter teller service - the machines are there for that purpose - but you can open an account, negotiate a mortgage and even buy a pension or other savings policy.

More supermarket banks are being planned - the next AIB: bankingshop will be opened in Cork.