The banking industry is ready for the challenge of the Euro, and geared up to ensure that it is ‘business as usual’ for customers when the full changeover occurs from January 1, 2002.
This was the message from John Collins, president of the Irish Bankers’ Federation at the launch of the banking industry’s euro information campaign. Irish banks and building societies joined forces in a nation-wide information campaign aimed at ensuring that customers are fully aware of the effects of the changeover on their day-to-day banking transactions.
Referring to recent research by Forfas that shows over one-third of businesses had undertaken no planning for the changeover, Collins stated, ‘Our concern must be that the situation may not have improved greatly since this research was completed in May/June - particularly in the small business sector.’
Also speaking at the launch, Peter Fitzpatrick, chairman of the Irish Mortgage and Savings Association, confirmed that the Irish banks and building societies have committed to completing the changeover to the Euro fairly and without seeking to disadvantage customers.
Mr. Fitzpatrick added, ‘The changeover is a challenging process and I have no doubt that many will find both the concept and the process somewhat intimidating. However, information is the best means of empowering people to respond to this challenge so we would urge everyone to pick up a copy of our booklet.’
The information campaign will have a number of different elements - an information booklet entitled ‘The Euro, banking and you’, a radio advertising campaign featuring Terry Wogan in support of the booklet’s content and a nationwide schools education programme. |
