Bank 'Needs Another Week' For Backlog Payments

Ulster Bank has apologised to its customers but said it still needs another week to deal with the backlog of transactions caused by an "unprecedented" technical failure.

A software problem on Wednesday meant tens of thousands of accounts were not updated, wages and benefits were not paid in and direct debits did not go out.

Ulster Bank opened over the weekend and extended opening hours at 80 branches across Ireland today (Monday 25) to give customers the chance to access their cash.

Bracnhes at these locations will open until 6pm today.

The bank said that if account-holders visited branches in person with their details and proof of ID, they would be able to get money out.

And extra staff have been brought into the bank's call centres, to handle queries from people who have been affected, for example those who have incurred fees by a direct debit payment not going out in time.

Chris Sullivan of RBS, which owns Ulster Bank, said the systems collapse was "the last thing any bank would want".

He said: "We are really sorry this has occurred. We are taking this really seriously. We are putting all of our efforts into ensuring that nobody is out of pocket in this situation."

The chief executive of the Citizens Advice Bureaux, Derek Alcorn, said his staff and volunteers would be available to negotiate with the bank on behalf of customers who were in financial trouble because of the glitch.

He said: "There will be people who, if they can’t get benefit, will be badly stuck".

(NE/GK)