Customer counters are to be removed from 100 Bank of Ireland branches by the end of 2017, including Tullow, Kinnegad, Cootehill and Strokestown.

Up to 40 branches already operate on this basis, by not accepting cash at a counter.

A spokesperson for Bank of Ireland told the Irish Farmers Journal that their customers are rapidly changing the way they bank, just as they are changing the way they buy goods or services online and communicate with each other.

“Today, only 3% of our customers’ total transactions are conducted over the counter – 97% of all transactions take place through other channels.

“The use of credit and debit cards and contactless banking continue to grow, with demand for cheques, foreign currency and coin services continuing to significantly reduce.”

Some branches are adopting the ‘advice and self-service’ model, where staff will move from behind the counter onto the floor. Customers can lodge and withdraw cash from self-service devices and have access to online and 365 phone services.

Other branches will implement a morning counter service each day, with staff available on the floor in the afternoon, with self-service cash services still available after 12.30pm.

The changes will be phased in over a two-month period.

The bank made pre-tax profit of more than €1bn last year.