First Trust Bank is changing to AIB

We will rebrand on a phased basis within the next two years. There will be no interruption to services to our customers during this time.

This will mean that all First Trust Bank operations, products and services will rebrand as AIB on a phased basis to create a shared and unified brand for our customers across all our business operations.

Over the past number of years, AIB Group have invested £10 million in transforming First Trust Bank, enhancing our products, services and digital capability and thereby improving our customer experience.

Speaking about the announcement, Adrian Moynihan, Head of First Trust Bank in Northern Ireland, said

"AIB is very proud of everything First Trust Bank has accomplished since its creation in 1992. We are keen to build on our strong and positive presence in Northern Ireland in the future and our decision to rebrand First Trust Bank as AIB reflects this commitment."

"Rebranding as AIB is a natural progression in our transformation given we are AIB in both the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain. It reflects our commitment to our presence in Northern Ireland and our desire to provide all our customers with a consistent and exceptional customer experience. We will continue to back our customers in Northern Ireland to achieve their dreams and ambitions through our digital proposition roll-outs like Apple Pay and Google Pay, and this closer integration will help us bring customers the products they want as soon as possible. We remain committed to supporting the Northern Ireland economy and the customers we serve."

Rebranding First Trust Bank as AIB marks a continuation of the bank’s strategy of closer integration in its three main markets, and ensures all geographies will operate under a single, revitalised brand identity, bringing customers a strong, customer focused proposition.

Colin Hunt, CEO of AIB Group, further added

"Today we are reinforcing our commitment to Northern Ireland with this investment to rebrand First Trust Bank so it aligns with the overall AIB Group. Operating as one brand allows us to enhance our offering to customers across the jurisdictions in which we operate, and unifies us all behind our purpose to back our customers to achieve their dreams and ambitions. Having started rolling out our new brand identity in 2016 with the introduction of our new AIB logo across our Republic of Ireland and Great Britain operations, we are now completing the transition to rebrand First Trust Bank as AIB."

There will be no interruption to services for our customers during the rebrand and our customers will not be required to take any action as a result of the rebrand. Further details will be available here at www.aibni.co.uk as we roll out the rebrand.
Please be very aware that we will never contact you to ask for any of your personal details, to transfer funds, or for any of your personal access details.

Customer FAQs

What is changing?
- In late 2019, First Trust Bank will change brand to AIB, and our trading name will become AIB (NI). Our registered company name, AIB Group (UK) p.l.c. will not change, nor will our status as a UK bank. We will still be authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
- From the end of November you’ll begin see our logo and name change on our letters, digital services, statements, emails, and in our branches. This will happen on a phased basis and should be complete by end of 2020.
Who is AIB?
- AIB is a financial services group operating predominantly in the Republic of Ireland and the UK. We provide a comprehensive range of services to personal, business and corporate customers in our target markets and have leading market shares in banking products.
Wasn’t First Trust Bank always part of AIB?
- Yes. We have been part of the AIB Group since 1991.
What does this mean for me?
- There won't be any change to your day-to-day relationship with us. We will retain the same great staff, service and products. The most obvious change is that from 28th November 2019 we’ll be known as AIB, the signs over our doors will also begin to change, and you will start to see the new logo being used on letterheads, statements, and online.
Who will regulate the bank?
- There’s no change to who regulates us. We will still be authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. You will be able to access the benefits of Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) just as you do today.
Is this happening as a result of Brexit?
- Rebranding as AIB is a natural step, which we’ve been planning as part of our transformation journey over the past few years. It is not as a result of Brexit. Over the past number of years we’ve invested in our infrastructure, refreshed and modernised our retail branches and made continuous updates to our online and mobile banking.
Will my terms and conditions change?
- There are no changes to your terms & conditions. However, we will update them over time to replace references to First Trust Bank with AIB (NI).
Will I need to get new debit/credit cards or chequebooks?
- You won't need to order new cards or chequebooks as a result of our rebrand. You should not destroy your cheque books or cards as you will be able to continue to use these until otherwise notified.
- If you need to replace your card, order a new one or if your card has reached its expiry date in the early part of 2020 it will most likely be replaced with an AIB card.
- For some people, this may actually mean they retain their First Trust Bank branded debit and credit cards until 2020 or beyond.
- You will receive a new chequebook when your current chequebook runs out in due course. You can continue to use your First Trust Bank branded cheques as usual.
- If you have authorised someone else to have a card or chequebook, to operate your account then you will need to tell them about these changes – this just so that they are aware of the changes but they don’t need to do anything.
My First Trust Bank credit/debit card does not expire until 2022 when should I expect replacements?
- First Trust Bank credit/debit cards may not be replaced with AIB cards until they actually expire. You can still use your First Trust Bank credit/debit cards as usual.
What about First Trust Bank Notes?
- As previously announced we will be gradually withdrawing First Trust banknotes.
- You can continue to spend, accept and lodge First Trust Bank banknotes into your bank accounts as normal until midnight on 30th June 2022.
- After 30th June 2022 any AIB branch will exchange your First Trust Bank banknotes for Bank of England banknotes, or other sterling banknotes of equivalent value, free of charge.
- After 30th June 2022 any Post Office® in the UK will also exchange your First Trust Bank banknotes free of charge for 2 years.
How I log onto Online & Mobile Banking?
- Our website address will change to www.aibni.co.uk and will have the new AIB logo. After 28th November you should enter the new address. You will be automatically redirected to our new website if you enter our old web address. Apart from having to change the website address, there will be no change to how you log onto Online and MobileBanking, or to our iBusiness banking, your log-in credentials will stay the same. You will still use the same User ID and password.
Will my Mobile Banking App change?
- If you currently have the First Trust Mobile banking app this will be renamed AIB (NI) in November. You will be notified via the App Store or Google Play.
What about if I’m paying a credit card from another bank? What do I need to do?
- Actually, for most customers you don't need to do anything. If you have authorised someone else to operate your account, you will need to tell them about these changes.
What about my direct debits, etc. I have set up on my First Trust Bank account?
- All of your direct debits will remain set up as normal. You will continue to enjoy the benefits of the Direct Debit Guarantee, as detailed.
Will I still be able to transact through the Post Office after you change?
- Yes all operations will run as normal. The Post Office staff will be aware of our name change.
Will I now be able to transfer Euros to my AIB account through AIB (NI) Online Banking?
- No, you will still be unable to send international payments through your online banking.
How will I know that it is really you contacting me?
- Please be very aware that our team will never contact you to ask for any of your personal details, to transfer funds, or to request any of your personal access details. You’ll start to see text messages change from FTB to AIB (NI) – such as our Account Alerts, Balance Alerts, messages to tell you when your statement is available to view on Online Banking, or to warn you of potential fraud on your cards.

Published on 16th October 2019