Ulster Bank

[Ambassador_Spock]

I’ve got a few questions for people who have/have had an account with Ulster Bank…

1. First and foremost, I can’t see any requirement to live/have lived in Northern Ireland to open an account with them, can an account be opened and managed entirely online/via app?
2. Does anyone have experience with their Premier offering? If I have a premier account with another RBS bank (NatWest) could I open a premier account with Ulster, or would I need to have my salary paid into Ulster to qualify?
3. Are there any pitfalls I should know about? For example, on their payment limits site it looks like payments in/out take a minimum of two hours to process. That’s not a deal-breaker (I’d basically just be using Ulster for their Loyalty Saver account) but would be good to plan for.
4. Any other pros/cons in banking with Ulster?

[8XE]

I’ve no knowledge to be able to answer your questions, but I’d be interested in the answers also.

It’s a real shame that NatWest and RBS don’t have their own Loyalty Saver equivalent.

[Ambassador_Spock]

Agreed, though Ulster don’t appear to do a regular saver so maybe that’s their ‘higher interest saver’? Also Uslter’s Loyalty Saver pays interest annually, which isn’t the end of the world, but would be a bit annoying. I’d still absolutely love to see a NatWest equivalent. I’ve mentioned a few times it is the only thing keeping me from having 100% of my (UK) finances with NatWest.

[Urpert]

I’ve previously had a Loyalty Saver without any need for a current account (or an address in NI). Opened through the app IIRC.

[Hunk_of_Cheese]

1. Open entirely online - you’ll probably be given this sort code

   

2. You should qualify via NatWest, I’ve never had my salary paid into Ulster.

3. Payments in/out are instant - I used to use Loyalty saver and now use the limited edition saver (monthly interest) as my main stoozing/easy access account and transfer in from current accounts for every credit card transaction, and have sheduled payments out several times a month for paying credit card bills. Only issue is scheduling only works on working days.

4. No issues I can think of unless you want loans/overdraft - their rates and limits are slightly worse than NatWest from what they’re offering me

[tired (I I don’t need your rockin’ chair)]

@Ambassador_Spock

First and foremost, I can’t see any requirement to live/have lived in Northern Ireland to open an account with them, can an account be opened and managed entirely online/via app?

I am in England, never lived in NI. I have an account with them, no need for a branch everything done in the app.

@Ambassador_Spock

Are there any pitfalls I should know about? For example, on their payment limits site it looks like payments in/out take a minimum of two hours to process. That’s not a deal-breaker (I’d basically just be using Ulster for their Loyalty Saver account) but would be good to plan for.

Everything is like for RBS/Natwest. They say within two hours for faster payments just like any other bank.
All my payments have been done within a minute.

@Ambassador_Spock

Any other pros/cons in banking with Ulster?

Their app doesn’t work same hours Natwest/RBS apps have a nap.

Same icon and card design as RBS.
App is copy and paste from RBS.

[8XE]

@tired

I am in England, never lived in NI. I have an account with them, no need for a branch everything done in the app.

The card designs don’t look too bad either. Quite arty by the looks of it.

[Arnie7]

If you do need a branch visit, you can visit a NatWest branch. We had to do one as the OH is Australian and needed to show the residence card. Other than that, fully online.

[tired (I I don’t need your rockin’ chair)]

@8XE

The card designs don’t look too bad either

You only have problems if you have both Ulster and RBS in Apple pay, even worse if next to each other as you can’t differentiate them.

[8XE]

Does the Apple Pay version not have the same design as physical? That seems odd.

I figured it would be some landscape variation of this design…

[BT1]

They stopped using those designs last year.

When I had an account with them the cards were landscape:

I think Ulster is the only NI bank that allow all UK residents to open an account

[8XE]

@BT1

They stopped using those designs last year.

They need to update their website then. Shame.

[tired (I I don’t need your rockin’ chair)]

@8XE

I figured it would be some landscape variation of this design…

These are the two sisters next to each other.
The only other writing not shown is the last 4 card digits.

[8XE]

@tired

These are the two sisters next to each other.

What’s the point of having the bank operate under a separate brand if they are going to reduce or eliminate differences in every other aspect.

At least go with a different card design.

It just feels like theatre. Scotland for Scotland, Ulster for Northern Ireland, IOM for Manx.

All because the “National Westminster” brand wouldn’t go down well, I’m guessing?

[Pyros (Pyro)]

I think Ulster Private you just need to prove you have the money in another bank and they let you get the account anyway.

I could be wrong though?

[8XE]

Their eligibility criteria appears to be significantly lower than their sister brands also.

[Pyros (Pyro)]

How do they check? just like a screenshot from barclays?

[tired (I I don’t need your rockin’ chair)]

@Pyros

just like a screenshot from barclays?

Open banking? I guess that is one of its uses, confirmation of funds

[jo (Member)]

How many people hold accounts with all three NWG brands?

I do, @mastercardnevervisa does, and I’m guessing @tired you’ve also got all three brands?

I’m in the process of getting mettle so technically that’s a 4th brand under NWG. If they’d just get through the 20 day wait time

[jo (Member)]

What card networks are yours? My Ulster is MC with a 4 year expiry, my RBS is Visa with a two year expiry.