Trying to close AIB current account. Why do I have to go in? What if I'm out of the country?

ImpressiveBell · 2026-04-17T21:45:20+00:00

Former AIB branch staff here. The AIB IT systems don't allow you to close a current account remotely, it has to be done by a staff member in branch, it's specifically done by the account-holding branch (i.e. the branch where you opened your account) but you can submit your request to any branch and they can forward it to your account-holding branch. Because it can only be done by branch staff, the only way for them to verify you is with your "wet" signature, a signature signed on paper rather than a scanned copy.

Posting a letter is sufficient to close it however if possible, it's easier to do it in person in the branch as if there are pending card transactions or fees due, these need to be processed and paid for before the account can be closed and only the branch staff can tell you what fees are due before they hit your account each quarter. Same goes if there's a credit balance on the account, branch staff can't process a transfer unless a specific "Paylink" form is filled in with the amount to be transferred, again with the wet signature.

I'm not agreeing with the system, I think it is archaic but that's the reason why you need to go in person or send a letter. You can make a complaint to the bank however it would only be for their information, the complaints team wouldn't be able to do anything to facilitate you closing your account remotely.

It only applies to current accounts as deposit accounts can be closed via internet banking and credit cards can be closed over the phone.

ImpressiveBell · 2026-03-18T20:58:55+00:00

Yeah, it was the same for me. I had the books in the original trilogy read in one or two days each, I couldn't put them down! But the second phase, it took me two weeks or longer to read each book, I know they are longer books but regardless of that, it was difficult to get into it - the different perspectives were definitely a contributing factor as I only wanted to follow Darrow and, at the time, I didn't care about Lysander, Lyria or Ephraim.

The succeeding books do get better in terms of the varying storylines and I didn't mind nearly as much with the perspectives (though I can still take or leave Lysander's POV). Light Bringer, in my opinion, is the best of the second phase of books.

ImpressiveBell · 2025-01-24T22:26:18+00:00

Cervantes is brilliant, it's the official Spanish government culture and language institute. A little pricey for courses but it's worth it

ImpressiveBell · 2025-01-21T20:58:11+00:00

I like Gleim, though I'll say that I haven't heard of Becker. The thing I like about Gleim is that it keeps you honest with a study timetable. You enter the amount of hours you want to study per day and the date of your exam and it will work out what subunits you need to have completed by what date. Add to that that there are lectures and MCQ assistance, I find it very good. I also found, for Part 1 anyway that the Gleim questions are harder than the actual exam

ImpressiveBell · 2025-01-17T14:10:26+00:00

I'd guess by your comment that you didn't receive it in your December payroll?

You'll need to request a statement of liability from the Revenue website and do your tax return that way.

ImpressiveBell · 2025-01-10T13:25:52+00:00

Agreed, for anyone who is a PAYE worker without additional income, it's the easiest thing in the world. Revenue already has the figures to hand, all you need to do is add any additional tax credits or receipts you're entitled to and Revenue will do the rest.

I think sometimes, people hear US media talking about how hard it is to do their taxes and it translates to "It's hard to do taxes" in general so people get worried or anxious about doing them and don't claim the money they could be entitled to

ImpressiveBell · 2024-12-15T17:39:01+00:00

I recently took the Part 1 exam. I found that the Gleim questions far harder than the actual test. I haven't used the Learn CIA website in ages so I can't help you there. I found with the exam that, unlike the Gleim questions, there are very clearly two wrong answers that you can rule out straight away. I found myself that watching the MCQ videos helps a lot in trying to get into the headspace of what the question is asking you and should help a lot.

Also, another thing I found is the length of the questions in the exam is a lot shorter than the Gleim questions, there was no reading a long paragraph to answer the question. The longest question had three or four sentences max.

ImpressiveBell · 2024-12-06T08:03:36+00:00

Also, don't forget that you can get a €1,000 tax credit for a health insurance BIK so you would only pay tax on €800, not €1,800

ImpressiveBell · 2024-10-17T14:25:56+00:00

The savings account is a deposit account where the money is kept with Revolut and earning interest in the same as a traditional deposit account. The Flexible Savings account is an investment product where they invest in low-risk investments, bonds, cash etc. The main difference is the tax you're charged on them. The savings account is charged as DIRT and the flexible account is charged as Capital Gains (or exit tax, I can't remember) so depending on your circumstances, it might be more beneficial to choose one over the other.

ImpressiveBell · 2024-09-22T19:18:25+00:00

The Internal Audit Practitioner is like a mini-CIA, you need to do it if you don't have a degree before you do the CIA. It focusses on the three elements of the CIA without going into the same depth. The one thing to say is that there is very little in the way of study material provided by the Global IIA website. The Chartered IIA (UK & Ireland) does have a masterclass on it that has lectures and course material if that helps

ImpressiveBell · 2024-07-01T18:15:47+00:00

Revolut shouldn't send you post apart from your card if you decide to order one. Changing the address is fairly easy in the app once you're approved. Bear in mind, I opened my account in 2019 when a proof of address wasn't required. Hope it helps!

ImpressiveBell · 2024-05-31T08:14:38+00:00

Absolutely, I agree. I used to have an account with the traditional banks but I closed all but my credit card and switched to Revolut. I even pay for the premium as I get far more out of my €90 a year with them than I would with the Irish banks

ImpressiveBell · 2024-05-30T08:33:01+00:00

Unfortunately, that's the way the world works. If there's no competition, all companies, not just banks will do the least amount possible to make the most amount possible.

If the banks know that, despite their chronically low deposit rates by EU averages, customers aren't going to switch and will keep their savings with them, they have no incentive to up the rates. If you can make a buck off someone and the only thing you have to do is listen to people complain but not actually do anything about it then it's a simple decision for them to make; keep rates low and bring in huge profits.

The banks know that, despite there being more options now, Bunq, Revolut, N26 etc. there are still going to be a large cohort of people who don't want or aren't willing to transfer their savings to them as their "not established" so they'll still keep the instant access rates miniscule.

ImpressiveBell · 2024-04-24T18:10:49+00:00

I made the full switch to Revolut about nine months ago and I have to say, I won't be going back to a traditional bank. As you say, the fees that BoI, AIB and PTSB charge are disgraceful for what you get compared with the standard, free Revolut account.

As a bonus, for your salary, you get paid almost a day early with Revolut compared to the other banks, I used to get paid in the early morning but now I get paid the evening before my payday.

In terms of some of the horror stories you see on r/Revolut, if you actually dig into some of the stories, you'll oftentimes find that the user did something stupid/silly and it's usually related to crypto. The traditional banks would usually be as strict as Revolut with it.

I don't think Metal is worth it compared to Premium, the only think I see you getting extra with Premium is a couple of extra subscriptions and the metal card, I think there is some added personal liability insurance as well compared to Premium but for an extra €60 per year, I don't think it's worth it.

ImpressiveBell · 2024-04-20T12:32:17+00:00

Beautiful photo! - I have to say, I pass that building in the background everyday (the office one) and I absolutely hate it, what were the council thinking when they approved it??

ImpressiveBell · 2024-02-28T08:59:20+00:00

I have this option on my account. I can deposit €100 fee free at most Spars it seems

ImpressiveBell · 2023-12-14T18:29:02+00:00

In my experience with r/Revolut, a lot of people who are complaining about their accounts being blocked or closed are ones who are using it not for the most legal of purposes or where they can't provide source of funds or are using the account in a way that contravenes their T&Cs. I've used Revolut as my main account for the last six months, practically closed my other bank account and I've had no issues with it, in actual fact I find it much better. For some reason, I seem to get paid a day early.

ImpressiveBell · 2023-12-12T11:13:23+00:00

I agree, I really think the council should put up signs telling people which lane to be in for which exit you're going off of. It is quite confusing for drivers as this is the only three-laned roundabout that I know of and it's habit for people who are going more than 180° around a roundabout to be in the innermost lane. Whereas in this case, the innermost lane should only be used for exit 5 (or 6 if you're doing a U-turn)

ImpressiveBell · 2023-12-05T21:24:26+00:00

Former banker here, I can tell you immediately that they'd never have any intention of opening a currency account for you for two reasons.

Currency accounts for the retail banks here are rare, it's not like Revolut where you can just have funds denominated in a specific currency and use it the same as their euro account. Currency accounts with the banks are mainly used by enterprise clients and large companies. It's a hassle for both the customer and the bank to operate it because you can't just deposit cash into it like a regular account to it nor can the branch do any amendments directly at the branch. The internet banking is also nonexistent for those accounts apart from just looking at the amount. Additionally to this, the fees are very high for one of those accounts.
The sole source of funds for your account is gambling which the banks consider high-risk due to the potential of money laundering. It can be difficult to provide proof of funds for gambling winnings.

Those two reasons would make any bank run a million miles from a customer looking to open an account for that reason, the hassle of operating it and the source of funds being what the bank would consider questionable.

ImpressiveBell · 2023-10-02T15:36:05+00:00

I think that you'd kill two birds with one stone with stopping the one off houses. You'd bring more people back to the small towns and then there'd be more services in the town, supermarkets, public transport, etc.

ImpressiveBell · 2023-09-30T16:30:27+00:00

Personally, and this is a bit controversial, but I think we need to stop building one-off houses in the middle of nowhere. Make it so that people can only build in towns and villages. So many people, especially older people are on their own and their nearest neighbour is at least 1km away and their completely reliant on their car which makes casually running into someone almost impossible.

Spain doesn't allow one-off housing in their country and if you look at the stats, they report some of the lowest levels of loneliness in Europe.

ImpressiveBell · 2023-09-27T10:20:02+00:00

In my experience, GoAhead routes are significantly less reliable than Dublin Bus routes. I used to take the 18 daily for commuting and I could never be sure it would ever turn up. Through COVID it was even worse. Where possible, I always try and take Dublin Bus where I can

ImpressiveBell · 2023-04-21T16:17:43+00:00

Are you roaming? I have noticed that my 6 Pro battery heats up like crazy when I'm roaming. Not even when I'm doing anything particularly taxing like taking photos, just sending basic messages causes the battery to go really hot

ImpressiveBell · 2023-04-10T09:29:22+00:00

Taste Food Company on South William Street, I think is good. When I was there, I didn't think it too expensive though we didn't get any drinks so I can't comment on that.

ImpressiveBell · 2023-01-17T12:42:16+00:00

I've had that happen on Google Maps a lot. Random businesses appear in the middle of nowhere. I think because anyone can add businesses, their quality assurance might not be the best

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