Local Ulster Bank branch opens late to deal with payments crisis

The Ulster Bank branch in Navan will stay open until 7pm for the rest of this week as the bank attempts to clear a backlog in payments due to the technical breakdown in its systems, which has entered its eighth day. The branches in Trim and Athboy will continue to have normal opening hours. The breakdown came as a shock to customers and a number expressed their feelings outside the Navan branch yesterday (Tuesday). Paddy Quinn, Blackcastle, Navan, a 10-year customer with the bank, said that when a person made a lodgement, that lodgement would not go through until the bank's system was back up. "But at least I was told that there would be no direct debits paid out until the system was back. It's tough on people who don't know where they stand. A lot of people are worried that direct debits are not coming out on time," he said. He said that while he had no great difficulty himself so far, he knew that other people might have problems. Catherine Boyle, Robinstown, said that when she visited the bank, her wages had not come through. She was told in the bank that "the system is down". She was asked to produce her payslip but didn't have it with her and was due to revisit the bank today (Wednesday). "It is annoying when you go to a bank and can't get out your money," she said. Another woman, who asked not to be named, said she had had no problems herself and added: "The staff in the Ulster Bank are the nicest you could get anywhere." Raymond Reynolds, Navan, said that he had been waiting for money due to him since last Thursday. He could not get his money on Monday this week but was able to access it when he brought his passport to the branch. Mr Reynolds said he had heard of people who used their Ulster Bank cards at other banks' ATMs in the town but had them "swallowed up". Keith Purcell, Blanchardstown, a customer of the bank in his own area, was trying to get his wages through the Navan branch yesterday. "It seems the money is going in but nothing is coming out," he said.