AIB (NI) facts for kids

AIB (NI) is a bank in Northern Ireland. It used to be called First Trust Bank. This bank is part of Allied Irish Banks's UK group, called AIB Group (UK) plc. It is one of the four biggest banks in Ireland.

AIB (NI) started in 1991. This happened when TSB Northern Ireland joined with other parts of the AIB Group. The bank's history goes back even further, to 1816. That's when the Belfast Savings Bank was founded.

Until February 2019, First Trust Bank was one of four banks that printed its own Pound Sterling banknotes in Northern Ireland. First Trust notes are no longer legal money since June 30, 2022. Allied Irish Banks had planned to sell the bank in 2010. However, they decided not to. Instead, they announced plans to invest in the bank starting in 2014. The bank was known as First Trust Bank in Northern Ireland until November 2019.

What AIB (NI) Does

AIB (NI) is part of Allied Irish Banks's UK division. This division works in two main areas: Northern Ireland and Great Britain. In Great Britain, it's known as Allied Irish Bank (GB). These two areas have different economies. AIB Group (UK) p.l.c. is the official company name for this division. It is registered in the UK.

About Northern Ireland Banknotes

A £100 First Trust Bank note

First Trust Bank, like the other big banks in Northern Ireland, used to print its own banknotes. They stopped printing these notes on June 30, 2020. These notes are pound sterling notes. They have the same value as notes from the Bank of England. They are different from the old Irish pound banknotes.

Before First Trust Bank, notes were printed under older names. These included the Provincial Bank of Ireland Ltd. (until 1976). Then Allied Irish Banks Ltd. (1977–1986). After that, Allied Irish Banks PLC (1987–1993).

The last notes printed by First Trust Bank showed two people, a male and a female. They appeared as children on the £1 and £5 notes. They were shown as middle-aged on the £10 and £20 notes. Finally, they were shown as elderly on the £50 and £100 notes. The front of the notes often showed pictures linked to the Spanish Armada. This remembers when 24 Armada ships crashed off the coast of County Antrim in 1588.

• The £10 note showed the ship Girona.
• The £20 note showed the chimney at Lacada Point. This is near the Giant's Causeway and Dunluce in County Antrim. The Girona ship was wrecked there.
• The £50 note showed a special medal.
• The £100 note showed the Spanish Armada.

The Provincial Bank of Ireland and AIB also printed some notes. These included a £5 note with Dunluce Castle on the front. There was also a £1 note showing the Girona. First Trust Bank did not print these specific notes.

In February 2019, First Trust Bank stopped printing its own banknotes. They started replacing them with Bank of England notes. First Trust Bank notes could still be used until June 30, 2022. After that date, they were no longer legal money. However, you can still put them into bank accounts. You can also swap them for Bank of England notes at AIB (NI) branches.

See also

• Allied Irish Bank (GB)
• Trustee Savings Bank
• Permanent TSB