Young people in Enniskillen are being offered an informal introduction to banking through a youth session at Danske Bank, as concerns over rural branch closures continue across Fermanagh.

The event, which runs until June 17, allows under-18s to learn how youth accounts work, ask staff questions, and see the bank's operations without any obligation to sign up. A parent or guardian must be present to open an account.

The initiative arrives amid sustained frustration in the county over disappearing in-person banking. Last year, Ulster Bank closed its Lisnaskea branch, the town's last remaining bank, as part of wider branch reductions across Northern Ireland. Residents report difficulties accessing services through some rural post offices, leaving communities feeling cut off.

Local political representatives have been pressing for action. Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLAs Jemma Dolan and Áine Murphy attended a recent event with the Rural Community Network and the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action to discuss the impact.

Ms Murphy stated she would continue working with the Consumer Council to explore every route for restoring accessible services for both residents and small businesses. Ms Dolan emphasized the need to reconsider banking availability in rural areas, warning that closures erode face-to-face services essential to towns and villages.

The Danske Bank youth session offers a low-pressure entry point for young people, but also highlights the broader challenge of maintaining financial inclusion across Fermanagh's dispersed communities.