Ulster Bank Reviews 

Complete garbage, having opened a loyalty account with them & put in £22k I am only allowed to withdraw £750 a time. There was no limit to putting it in ! Its going to take me 30 days to get MY money back from the -----s.
PS Barry from Customer Services who was going to ring me back in 10 minutes when his boss was out of a meeting that is now 2050 minutes ago and counting...

Awful, frustrating, deliberately difficult.

Ulster have made it impossible to close my savings account (and therefore actually recieve my interest) without sending a letter to NI.

Can I close it in the app? Of course not.

Can I use the online form? Nope, it's broken and they won't fix it.

Can i use their chat bot? Don't even bother trying, it is the worst one I have dealt with.

Can I do it over the phone? Inexplicabily the answer is also no and good luck finding a phone number.

They apparently need my signature to close the account. Odd requirement considering that I have never given my signature to Ulster.

This is nothing short of strategic incompetence to hold on to what is mine. Absolutely hateful.

I currently have an Ulster Bank (UK) Loyalty Saver account paying 5.2% interest. This is a MARKET-LEADING instant access savings account. Happy with my experience. I am based in Scotland. I opened this account whilst it was possible to have a Loyalty Saver without also having an Ulster Bank current account.

The security, layout & functionality of the Ulster Bank Online Banking (it's the same as RBS & NatWest) is also superior to other rival banks (Ulster Bank card & card reader required for withdrawals). I can therefore be sure my money is secure & safe. The Ulster Bank App also works fine.

As per all the other reviews. Probably the most incompetent business I've ever had the displeasure of interacting with.

I opened a loyalty saver early this year as I had sold a house. As I am due to complete I tried to close the account, and my sort code would not be accepted. Used online chat; I was told I needed to go to the Belfast branch (I live in London). Asked if they expected me to fly there! After that they advised me to go to my local branch of Natwest where the poor staff had no idea how to close it. I am extremely grateful I only kept £1000 in it as I can only take out £750 a day, and that is using the phone app (cannot do it online). Simply unbelievable. Had I held a large quantity my house purchase would have fallen through!

I am genuinely shocked at the amount of negative reviews. I've been with Ulster Bank just over 10 years and have no issues at all. Sure had maybe a handful of bad customer service experiences, but that was down to the representative, not the bank. I got compensation for the mistakes the representative did. I love the app, quick and easy to use. Also love the voice recognition option when calling them and extra security with new payments. I've been offered switching banks money, but I'm staying put.
Also once I called to change my phone number, and the representative said, I can see you're with us 10 years, I'm going to put £25 in your account as a thank you. Great surprise

Opening the savings account was fine but until you have had the app long enough to be offered Biometrics (around 2 weeks) it is very difficult to move money out of the account. There was nothing to say I would need the app when I opened the account so had a very stressful time when trying to get the money out for a house purchase.

Closing the account and getting the owed interest has also proved very difficult. The form to close the account on the website is pointless unless you have an Ulster current account, I was told I would get a cheque but I didn’t and so when I phoned, I was told to put in my bank details of another account on the form except this only works if you have a current account with Ulster so you can’t submit the form. Still no cheque so now I have to go to a NatWest and hope they can do it for me there.

The worst experience I have had with customer service as I’ve spoken to around 5 different people on the phone with the same queries but I’ve been told different things every time or the person just didn’t seem to know the answer and said things kept changing their end. I had no confidence that the people on the phone were giving me correct information as they just seemed clueless and at times rude, stating that I had been given information that I haven’t.

Interest rate is good but for the stress and hassle I would recommend avoiding!!

JUST LOOK AT THE REVIEWS - OVER 80% NEGATIVE - I've sent over 20 emails to customer service and received zero replies apart from the standard "don't bother us, we will get back to you automated reply"
this has to be the worst credit card ever - just don't bother

Avoid this bank they discriminate against people with disabilities and then victimise you

Hello folks. Just my final Ulster Bank follow up. I signed up for an easy access savings account in July 2023 after reading about on Martin Lewis brilliant newsletter. The rate was in 2023 at around 5%. However just recieved my first statement!!! to find they've actually been paying me 2.23%. Yes they've somehow fraudenlently changed the rate as the statement I recieved today was for November until now at 2.23%) The rate changed it seems without them feeling the need to inform me. I phoned up to complain to be told they had no information to give me. A pleasant kid on the phone (but useless) as he said he could only look at my recent statements!!! He didn't have information on what the rate was last year he said nor could he see my statements from July. Not only are Ulster Bank incompetent but its clear now they're dishonest too! Trying to contact them is virtually impossible so I've moved my money to a non criminal enterprise now. Worst decision I ever made was to join Ulster Bank.

Horrific service, Won't let you access your own money, Won't let you amend transfer limits like other Banks, you will have to write a letter if you wish to close your account, and they are using archaic technology rather than coming into the 21st century. Just avoid this bank at all cost, it isn't worth the hassle.

Tried to open a savings account, seemed to successfully get through the hooyu identity verification process. Didn’t hear anything back for a while so filled in the paper form anyway. Got a text saying the 28 day deadline had passed so I couldn’t open an account. Got on the online chat to complain and was told my application had been rejected because there was a difference between my date of birth on the application and my driving licence. Apparently I should have been sent and email but I didn’t have one. I said I must had made a typo and could it be corrected but was told it couldn’t and was just sent a link to the complaint form. I duly filled it in and explained the situation. A couple of days later I got a text saying ‘Thank you for letting us know what happened and sharing your experience with us. Your complaint is now resolved. Should there be anything additional you would like to talk through, please contact us using your unique reference number PHO-xxxx and details within the email or letter we have sent.’ It goes without saying that I haven’t had a letter or email from them. I can’t even try again because the savings account is now only available to current account holders. What a weird bank, I’m glad they rejected me.

If you want your money in an institution safer than Fort Knox then look no further.
This is supposed to be an easy access account - ha ha. Have any of you guys tried getting money out from them?
Before I transferred money to them I rang them and asked about their transfer limits I was basically told it wouldn’t be a problem if I requested withdrawals by phone. I was also told that I could use the app if I had enhanced biometrics active. When I try to activate it says I cant because Ive only recently started using the app. One adviser told me to keep trying and eventually it will work another said it will work after 28 days.
My mistake I put too much in I tried the app & it said I was limited on the amount I could withdraw (1K). I rang them & asked them to transfer some of my money out. I was told I couldn’t cos I didn’t have a card reader or card. Well thanks for telling me when I initially requested the info! He suggested I send a signed fax but when when I said but you don’t have my signature to compare he agreed it wouldn’t work.
I requested I speak to a Supervisor & he was very helpful who said that I can get full access after I receive a card & reader which he assured me was on its way. He again suggested the fax method & I said about not having a signature. He said that my passport which I had uploaded had my signature on. OK so I got my money next day minus £25, their fee. Of course I got that refunded when I complained to my friendly Supervisor. He also told me to open a normal current account with them to help transfers I did so but in hindsight I don’t think it is necessary.
I await the reader pin & card & meanwhile I have raised an official complaint. Their advisors need more training re the Anytime saver account & the app is misleading. App says withdrawal limits reset 18:30 each day. I last requested money on the app 2 days ago & it still wont let me have access.

Was excited to set up an account, unfortunately after completing the verification process I am still left waiting for any news (its been a month). They have since stopped the account I was going to set up, very disappointed. My partner was lucky to set the exact same account up all within a week, applying after me and finishing it. Don't understand why.

Can’t see why there are so many poor reviews, agree that the process is slow, but I am happier to take a couple more steps for peace of mind security.
The app works just the same as other banking apps I have.
I can imagine they have never been busier than now with their competitive rates.

In stark contrast to most of the other reviews for Ulster Bank, I found the entire process for opening a saver account with Ulster Bank very easy. Sure, there are many security checks to get through, but who wouldn't want these? The app takes me straight through to my account, and the use of biometric fingerprint and facial recognition, which many banks out there still don't use, provides an extra layer of security. I am able to move money in and out without any problems whatsoever. So, one very happy customer, and I would definitely recommend this saver account, which currently pays 5.15% interest, to anyone.

Delighted to read today so many disgruntled by this Bank’s performance.

Struggling following bereavement, managing disability and New Year only to receive instructions specific anti fraud management detailing the destruction of an existing usable card with many established regular payments including online retailers.

I recently concluded formal complaint in relation to a mismanaged standing order with assurances and apologies.

I do not know where to begin to address the chaos around attempting to change details across multiple systems, many of which no longer operate customer helplines.

A wonderful start to a cold New Year.

Not for small businesses
I have a number of small separate business with Ulster bank, trying to meet anyone in person as the IT systems for amendments for accounts/ cards/ foreign currency all fail. At all times was passed from one agent to another. Cant meet someone in NI!!!!
However was advised if I had £5M plus or £1M in loans I would be able to meet in person.
In the process of leaving - was told and sent a link to do this online via the IT system. Crazy

Tried to set up a savings account, but process seemed to stall. When I finally managed to get in touch found out that this was because I had missed one letter off my first name in the application. No communication had been sent to say the procees had been stopped and there was no way to amend the application when I spoke to customer services. Apparently I have to start again. In the meantime, my savings had been moved from premium bonds in readiness to transfer to the account, and consequently I will be out of pocket, potentially to the tune of £1 million!!!!

Went to setup an account, what a nightmare. Finally got details of account after more than two weeks.
This day and age should be easy.
While waiting I thought I'd try another company, I was amazed 30 minutes later I had an account setup and with a better rate of interest. Hence I won't be using ulster that's for sure.