We all have our little banking habits and like to do things in the same way for as long as possible. One service that has been a favourite with AIB customers an has contributed to in-branch queues is the facility to swipe card lodgments to credit cards.

The swipe lodgment facility was introduced by AIB in the mid-1990s and is not in operation in any other bank. However, it has been phased out over the past twomonths, with some ripples of resistance from dedicated brand users.

All 300,000 AIB Visa card customers received written notification about the change, but inevitably some people did not read the material and only discovered the facility had been discontinued when they tried to pay their bill in the usual way.

AIB is suggesting a number of simple alternative methods of credit card payment. These include AIB 24 Hour Banking (telephone), AIB 25 Hour Online, direct debit and standing order.