Ulster Bank Reviews 252

One of the worst I've ever come across - IMO a significant culture problem in relation to dealing with customers and customer comms.

Mmmm I feal like i was mislead to open this account. Took them a few weeks to get half my passcode out to me and the other half via email or text message. And then had to use biometrics for the mobile app. I specifically applied to this bank for an overdraft facility to be attached to my new banking with them. Was told no problem once i applied for a bank account. Waited so long for all the codes etc etc and once i managed to log into on-line banking i had no over draft given to me. Applied for it again and got a reply not available to me. Such nonsence. Today i received all the remainder to log into the bank account just really to close it down before it even got off the ground. They wasted my time so account now closed.

Don’t open an account unless you’re within commutable distance of a branch.

Whilst you can open an account remotely (taking a couple of weeks). Many of their processes still require you to visit a branch, so you could (as I have done) get seriously stuck if something goes wrong.

Genuinely is the worst banking experience I have ever had and absolutely no help whatsoever from Customer Services. And it took a ridiculous amount of time to get through to a person; their AI Assistant Cora is poor.

Opened up an easy access savings account end of last year (2025). The account was easy to set up along with confirming my Identity etc. However, when it came to withdraw my money all of a sudden I had to prove who I am! Unbelievable! I need to set up Biometric Approval or use a card reader to confirm its me! Lets forget that I have used my credentials to log in and I am trying to transfer money back into the current account that the money was deposited from; no, now I need to prove I am actually me! I have now been waiting a week to receive the card reader and thus, no access to the money I need. Not quite sure what good a card reader will do me as its a savings account...they don’t come with debit cards! To set up Biometrics I have been forced to download that Ulster app. I am now on day 5 and it still wont let me register….apparently I haven’t been using the app long enough….WTH! According to the “Brilliant” Customer Advisors at Ulster, it can take up to 4 weeks for the app to allow me to register Biometrics and the card reader will take up to a week. A weeks gone and no card reader. According to Ulster, I only ordered the card reader on 11th Apr…..I know I ordered it on 9th Apr. Ulster have said they cant do anything until I set up biometrics or receive the card reader; great banking support. They do minimal checks to accept money, then make you jump through hurdles to take it back! A lot of red flags in my opinion.

So to summarise; Ulster have refused to give me access to my money, forced me to prove who I am even though I did that at account set up, forced me to download their app, don’t care that its affected me with money issues, and have done nothing to support me to remedy the issues quickly. Hopefully this review helps others to make an informed decision about this establishment.

Quite possibly the worst bank I have ever dealt with. Inept, rude, non-existent customer service. Beware and avoid at all costs.

Tried to advise Ulster Bank of a website problem under their “Set up Anytime Banking” page in which it constantly gives an error to enter a “valid date of birth” - their amazing support closed the case straight away as apparently I’m not the account holder!

Great stuff, will be changing to a more competent bank who use customer service with a bit of common sense.

My mother is still locked out of her anytime banking app.

Avoid, cheers.

I have a savings account with a decent balance. Withdrew £20k which is the daily limit. Revisited the following day to withdraw another £20k and told to wait until 6.30pm, when it resets. Waited and the withdrawal failed again with the same message. Tried Monday morning and it failed again with the same message. Called customer services who advised Ulster Bank does not operate over the weekend, can only withdraw on weekdays. It's 2026, we are fully digitial!

Liverpoool-supporting Paul was fantastic in helping us when we were having great difficulties logging in to both the mobile app and to the website. He was friendly, knowledgeable and empathetic. He was able to resolve the issue for us (it turned out that uninstalling and reinstalling the app did the trick). It should also be noted that we were able to get through to a human within 90 seconds of making the call, after passing through a couple of menus.

Very poorly run bank

I made a complaint about the poor customer service and procedures and 10 weeks later still no resolution. Chat bot appalling.
No attempt to contact me to gather information from me.
Branch services also woeful, doing anything to keep you away.

It took me 3 hours to transfer money between Ulster Bank and another account in my name. I could only transfer £750 without having to talk to someone and then had to go through an interrogation by the fraud team.

Not only was the product misleading (a supposed 'fixed' interest rate that was actually only partly fixed on closer inspection), the customer service from this company was absolutely appalling. No one seems to have a clue about their own products, and no one bothers to get back to you when they say they will – inefficient and disrespectful. I am unsurprised they have such a poor score on here and unfortunately very much agree with it.

I would give them nil if I could. Beyond abysmal, bordering on criminal, various ploys to deny you access to your own money/ account closure. Insistence on biometrics....unhelpful staff on phone...I am in process of withdrawing 750 per day till I zero my account, as requests for full closure thwarted. Avoid at all costs

After 4 days of trying we are still unable to remove a significant sum of money to pay for the completion of a house purchase. This is terrifyingly bad banking and may cost a fortune to put right. At every stage there is a different reason why they can't process the withdrawal or use their clunky app. Do not give them your money, they won't give it back and the high interest rate is not worth the hassle!

The worst bank I have ever used. When I opened a savings account, it took many days before I could access the account (other banks I have used usually allow almost instant access). I was repeatedly lied to about how long it would take for me to be able to deposit money. When it came to getting money out the website wanted me to use a card (which I had not been given) with a card reader (which I had not been given). Trying to get help, I was again lied to repeatedly. The moronic chat app didn't have a clue what I was asking, then when I eventually spoke to a human they told me to ring someone to make a transfer. The person I rang was not able to do the transfer, and the person I communicated with via the chat app kept telling me to use the app. Eventually I gave in and downloaded the app, but even it does not let you access more than £750. The app is terrible - many features do not work, and several times the app reset and I had to start over. Easy-access bank accounts I have had with other banks allow easy transfer to your nominated bank account within the same day - it seems like I will be waiting until later next week before I can get access to my Ulster bank savings.

I've just received an email to advise that the interest rate on my current account is reducing and 'when'. This last bit of information is not included and attempting to get beyond their chatbot Cora is an utter waste of time.

If you have an issue with your card you either have to goto one of their branches or deal with inept AI. Definitely going to switch banks because if I had an emergency with my card id receive no support from an actual person.

Avoid this bank.

stay away - pathetic service

During a 30 minute phone call to Ulster Bank customer service I honestly felt like I must be talking to a school student doing a work experience session. He clearly had no knowledge of the bank website and worryingly had no knowledge of when the financial year started or finished ! I was simply trying to obtain an interest statement for a closed account, (something available online from other banks), but it just wasn't to be. Within the 30 minutes he put me on hold at least ten times, presumably while he went to ask someone else ! A really dreadful, frustrating experience and I'll be raising a complaint via an official route. Probably not be phone though !