PTSB has become the first financial institution in Ireland to be accredited with Autism-Friendly branches in four locations across the country.
The bank has agreed a multi-year partnership with AsIAm, Ireland's Autism Charity, that will enable the charity to further support autistic customers and families and to promote and drive greater inclusivity in Irish society.
Four of the bank's branches have been accredited as Autism-Friendly - Athlone in Co Westmeath, Clonakilty in Co Cork, Longford Town in Co Longford and Stillorgan in Co Dublin.
The accreditation has been received because these branches meet the following AsIAm criteria.
This includes that a minimum of 90% of front-facing staff have been trained in "Understanding Autism" and "Supporting Autistic Customers & their Families", while a sensory and accessibility audit and evaluation has been carried out in each branch.
PTSB has also designed and published a sensory map for each branch, which is being made available both online and in-branch and it has created a Charter of Inclusion for each branch outlining short, medium and long-term goals and recording relevant achievements in progressing towards these goals.
The bank said it is currently working towards achieving accreditation in additional branches nationwide.
Under the terms of this three-year partnership, PTSB will provide funding to AsIAm to scale and grow the supports that the charity offers throughout Ireland.
Speaking at PTSB's new Stillorgan branch in Dublin, AsIAm founder and CEO Adam Harris said the measures which the group had supported PTSB to put in place in-branch will not only make day-to-day banking experiences more accessible for Autistic people in the community, but also provide an important platform to increase public understanding and acceptance of Autism and the accessibility needs of our community.
"This development comes at a time in which banks have an important role in facilitating the rights of many people within our community in terms of the Assisted Decision Making Capacity Act. We look forward to building on this progress as we roll-out our accreditation to further PTSB branches in the months and years ahead," he added.
Leontia Fannin, PTSB's Chief Sustainability & Corporate Affairs Officer, said that elevating the bank's social impact and connecting with local communities is a key area of focus for PTSB.
"Our partnership with AsIAm is an important step in demonstrating our commitment to all our customers and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to access the products, services and supports that PTSB has to offer," she said.
