THE PARENT COMPANY of chaos-hit Ulster Bank has said the continuing problems at the Irish firm are not a reflection of its priority against larger UK lenders.
RBS said the quicker resolution of issues for its own customers and those of sister bank NatWest was simply down to the way the company’s payment systems are constructed.
The news came as the bank appeared to acknowledge that it did not know when the issues would be resolved, rowing back from earlier statements that customers would see normal service from early this week.
Ulster Bank executives will face questions from TDs and Senators on Thursday when they are called before the Oireachtas Finance Committee. Fianna Fáil finance spokesperson Michael McGrath said that the disruption to customers was “completely unacceptable”.
In a statement, RBS said it regretted “confusion” over the delays at clearing the backlog for Irish customers.
Unfortunately for our customers in Ireland, Ulster Bank payments follow in sequence after those of NatWest and RBS. This is because of the way the technology was set-up at the time the three banks were integrated. It in no way reflects the priority we attach to our Ulster Bank customers.
It’s believed some welfare payments are due to be made today. But the bank warned yesterday that normal service “will take some further time”.
Ulster Bank has taken measures to increase its engagement with distressed customers, including opening social media channels and joining Twitter.
But the lender has faced criticism from users:
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