July date set for Ulster Bank service changes

Ulster Bank is to close counters in all of its branches, including Navan and Trim, at 1pm from the start of July, as it prepares for its withdrawal from the Irish market.

It said the lunchtime closure of its counter service will allow staff to concentrate on helping customers face-to-face, who may need support ahead of the closure.

From 1st July, it will also cease counter foreign exchange services but will continue to accept foreign cheques, and nightsafe services will also end.

Ulster Bank has also said it plans to begin writing to current and deposit customers in the coming weeks, to give them six months notice to choose a new bank and close their Ulster Bank account.

The bank also announced a number of changes to its mortgage operations. It will close to new mortgage applications from existing customers from 10 June, and it will no longer offer approval in principal for existing customers from 29th April.

After Ulster Bank customers receive the initial communication in the coming weeks, the bank said customers will be prompted at various times over their six-month notice period, through reminder text messages, prompts on their mobile app and internet banking as well as follow-up letters, emails and calls.

If at the end of this six-month period a customer has not moved their account, the bank said the account will be frozen and within a month a cheque will be issued for the account balance, less any fees, stamp duty payable.

“We know this will be a busy period ahead for customers and we will reach out to as many as possible in the coming weeks and months to ensure that they are aware of the changes and to offer them help and support," said Ulster Bank Chief Executive Jane Howard.

"We encourage customers to consider the many different types of accounts and services on offer as they research their choice and the CCPC website is very useful in exploring the switching process and the different types of accounts on offer," she added.