Ulster Bank Reviews 

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 !

As other reviews have mentioned, it is almost impossible to close an account. I completed the online form twice, called customer services, went though security and provided all detail they asked for twice, spoke to online chat humans several times and still not closed or paid me my money. I complained and they investigated and resolved the complaint. Account still not closed. I have give 2 stars instead of 1 as they did originally offer a competitive saving rate. I have now written (by snail mail) and hoping this may resolve. My nearest beach is 475 miles away. My advice, don’t open an account.

Appalling, I can only agree with all the other reviewers, one star is being extremely generous.Setting up an easy access account was not straightforward because they used different terms in different places for the same thing, and the email instructions they sent missed out an important step. The customer service agent we phoned was quite dismissive.
Once set up, after a few weeks we needed to make a large withdrawal for an expensive purchase. Oh but you can't, if you have not made a transfer to a particular account before, you can only transfer £750 per day.Rang customer services, asked to transfer 20k, said she would do it, went on hold, and held, and held, and got cut off. Rang back, went through all rigmarole again, told can't be done, but can reset payment limits and make large payment via app. Downloaded app, nope, can't reset payment limits without setting up a second layer of biometrics. Tried to set this up but app says no, because........we hadn't used the app enough! Tried again next day, same limits, same response from app. Rang customer services, told the payment made yesterday hadn't been made - yes it had, shows in the destination account. Got (politely) very dissatisfied, explained needed to access our money for agreed (and contracted) purchase. Asked to transfer 25k, agent tried to be helpful but system would not allow her to do it. She explained that by continuing to use app after 3 working days (weekend days don't count), we would be able to set up the extra biometrics and make a larger withdrawal via app. In the absence of any other way forward we said we would do this, then when we had access to our 'easy access' account we would withdraw the full amount, close the account and leave an honest (and therefore completely negative) review of the bank. The agent then suggested she set up voice ID which would enable us to ring back and access telephone banking and therefore at least transfer 10k today. But no, that only applies if you want to transfer into an Ulsterbank current account. So we're left unable to access most of our own money in a so-called easy access account.
We will be closing this account as soon as possible.
The one star goes to the final customer service agent who spent an hour trying to sort this out for us - she actually deserves 5 stars.

I opened an account online, however I've been struggling for months to get it closed. The online process failed, so I phoned customer services and was told to keep trying. It kept falling, so I was told in disbelief that I had to post a letter. I posted the letter weeks ago it's still not closed. An utter shambles

I’m disappointed. The interest rate on their savings product is obviously compelling, but if a new customer intends to deposit a sizable sum into an “easy access” account, it genuinely has to be easy to access. Customer service must also be accessible and competent.

This bank feels like a traditional institution trying to “get with the kids” — layering tech onto legacy systems in a way that ends up confused, inconsistent, and exclusionary. Their app requires iOS 16, meaning anyone with an older device faces unnecessary hurdles. Website access is straightforward enough, but withdrawal approvals are restricted and, bizarrely, depend on the very mobile app that many customers can’t use.

Cora, the so-called assistant, is hopeless. Other reviewers have already covered its shortcomings in painful detail, so I won’t repeat them. Suffice it to say that my first interaction with this useless piece of AI will also be my last.

I’m still within the 14-day cooling-off period and currently waiting for a good old-fashioned PIN and card reader just to set myself up as a payee so I can withdraw any deposit I decide to make. It’s a nonsensical system design, unparalled in my experience amongst leading banks, and I’m seriously considering closing the account altogether. Afterall, harsh reality is always better than false hope.

Finally, the lack of any human response on this review site — combined with the overwhelmingly negative overall score — speaks volumes. This bank may aspire to be a modern digital institution, but it seems entirely unwilling to meet the needs of more mature — and potentially more liquid — customers.

The worst experience that I have ever had trying to open a savings account!! Started the process on 23 October and finally gave up yesterday, 12 November. I was being greedy for the 4.5% instant access account, but the grief isn't worth it!!! I concur with everything that the other 1* reviewers have said.

I managed to get my surname slightly wrong while filling out the initial registration. I then had to upload a proof of id etc. My account application was accepted but the surname was wrong. So, the system doesn't check that the surname on my id matched the surname on my registration info. I don't think that I can trust this bank with my savings.

I was attracted to Ulster by the high savings interest rate on MSE. However, while I had signed up for an “easy access” savings accounts there are major restrictions on what you can withdraw! It is not possible to make more than two withdrawals of >£750 each week making it impossible to draw on my savings. Avoid at all costs.

This is the worst bank I've ever found. Please do not open an account with them.
Can't log in to my account, took me ages to find a phone number, their limited edition savings account is a big con and they are giving me a hard time to close he account.
Wish I could give -5 stars!!!

Dreadful customer service. Useless Bot Cora, then sent to WhatsApp to help with activation code which I'm still waiting for after a week. Got a message to tell me that someone will discuss with me shortly on WhatsApp, we aim for 15 minutes. Guess what no-one responded. Do yourself a favour, bank with someone who at least pretend to care

Just a compete waste of everyone's time here trying to apply for a savings account. A jumble of broken apps and websites and identity checks. Avoid.

Absolutely appalling website. Difficult for my father to understand, and though he's no spring chicken anymore, it's had me nearly throw the phone across the room or want to punch the laptop a few times as well. The interface and log in are too lengthy and detailed, and customer service...well, what's that when it's at home? I intend to open a new account with a different bank in the New Year.

Awful awful application process. Tried to apply for a savings account did the id checks and have confirmation the us checks are passed. The had email saying g can't complete application as not done id checks. Spoke to customer adviser who said can't help as they cant help with applications 🤦🏼‍♀️

Liliana Lopes unilaterally rejecting account applications, not because they don't meet criteria, but because she doesn't like it when people point out her mistakes, and ask too many questions.

The awful Mitek verification process keeps rejecting perfectly valid documents, and all Liliana offers is to have us keep re-submitting the same documents over and over again.

Onboarding with Natwest/Ulster Bank is a complete joke and subject to a dysfunctional Mitek process and the whims of people like Liliana Lopes.

Tried opening an easy access account lured by a high interest rate. Completed their d facial recognition and driving licence verification checks. No communication to say the account was open. Every time I try to log on I get 'Try again later'. Went on to their Cora chat twice to establish the reason for unavailability and told on both occasions that my problem had been escalated and it would take a maximum of 2 working days. Gave up after 11 days, simply the wost experience for opening a new account I have encountered.

Wish I had read these reviews before attempting to open a savings account through MSE. Same issues as mentioned by others with regards to bugs in the identification process and no codes/links being sent. Impossible to have a conversation with someone, managed to finally 'talk' to a person on the chat who assured me that they would resend the link to undertake the ID process again but no sign after 3 weeks. I have since opened an account with Zopa which took less than 5 minutes on my phone and is working perfectly so far.