Bad attitude at Ulster Bank

I was dealing with an Ulster Bank cashier recently in Blackrock branch. Halfway through the transaction she threw her pen on the counter and proceeded to scratch both sides of her nose with her knuckles as if she had the mother of all itches. This went on for what seemed like an age. Then she casually picked up her pen and continued on with the transaction. It was hilarious to watch. Not once throughout the transaction did she speak to me or smile. In fact she spent her time looking at what all the other staff members were doing whenever they passed bye or came anywhere near her.
Now whenever I go in to an Ulster bank branch I go in with the attitude that this is going to be entertainment at it's best.
 
Lol!

I was dealing with this bank a couple of years ago. In the process they lost all my information identification, bank statements, payslips etc.

I made a complaint to head office. Complaint went on deaf ears and nothing ever became of it.

After an experience like that I personally wouldn't go near them.
 
Finally opened accounts today. Self and husband. Done very quickly and accommodated us without appointment after we postponed earlier meeting during week. In and out in 15 mins.
 
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Re: Ulster Bank Attitude

Capt. Beaky said:
Went to their branch in Ranelagh today. Explained my circumstances - Halifax Debit card useless soon and that I just needed a Visa Debit card - was told what to bring in and given the direct line to the lady who willl set up the current account. Just buzz her, make an appointment and Bobs your uncle. At least that is what I was told. Will post result after event takes place.
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Made appointment last Friday for March 1st. Took in relevent docs. Filled out sheet, signed name five or six times and out the door. Received full details of account through postbox this morning. CUSHTY Rodders :cool:. Treated cordially and businesslike.
 
My elderly Dad loved Halifax. Staff always went out of their way to help him, set up his direct debits, even rang Sky, etc for him when he went in there without his account number. I have to say, they were absolutely brilliant.

However, he went around last week to open his account with Ulster. Does not drive, has no passport, so all he had was his pension ID for his photo. Girl behind counter told him to go to the Garda Station and he did not understand. She started tutting and rolling her eyes to heaven and saying "get yourself to the Garda Station" He went home with his tail between his legs, feeling stupid and did not want to go back.

However, he went back the next day with his bits and pieces and got a lovely girl. He is still afraid to go in though, in case the first one gets him.

I phoned up, got a lovely guy over the customer service team and just told him straight out it was not on. Very apologetic and wants my Dad to come in so he can apologise. We will see.
 
I was in with ulster Bank over Christmas to move my First Active account over. The staff were getting dog's abuse from idiots who didn't seem to understand what was going on. The branch staff are not to blame for the bank's troubles and they have enough worries of their own without being subjected to daily abuse from small people with an axe to grind. I can't blame them for not being exactly happy in their work.
 
While I see your point about staff getting lots of abuse does it give them the right to be rude and unhelpful to other people?

I visited my local branch to get some information about opening an account to be told that I needed to meet with a customer specialist. I asked the girl when was this person available to be told I would have to come in on a certain afternoon as this was the only time this person was available. When I explained that I worked the normal nine to five and this would not be possible and could I do it without an appointment they seemed very reluctant to help me. I asked for some information to take away about current accounts savings accounts and credit cards and the girl behind the counter didn't seem to know anything about the different accounts and gave me a brochure for a savings account that had to be opened with a minimum balance of 25,000 (or something equally massive) even though I had said I had a limp sum of about 1,500!
 
It's possible that Ulster Bank are effectively closed for new accounts. I don't know. Being unhappy in your job doesn't give you a licence to be rude to others but it's understandable. I've heard terrible stories about the stress Anglo staff suffered from the public backlash that was unfairly directed at them.
 
All the banks are the same imo. The staff all have this "institutionalised" mentality, they do not live in the real world and have no consequences to answer to - think the worst examples of the civil service, but worse again!. Although the counter staff in general try their best, the incompetance runs from the top down. In my experience, (and not just from dealing with them as a consumer ) I can see it's plainly obvious that they have no regard whatsoever for their customers.

Stating the obvious here - but there really needs to be a big overhaul of the banking system in this country and how they treat the general public.

Getting back on topic - Ulster Bank have to be the worst, most incompetent bank I have ever had to deal with. I have had numerous problems with them whcih I will not go into. They are unbelievably incompetent, And stay well away is my advice.

As I said all of the banks are incompetent in their own way and until the old ways and old cronies are routed out, and a big shift in their way of thinking happens, I wouldnt hold much faith in them.,

As I said it comes from the top down, and with all thats happened recently, it would have been a perfect opportunity to clear the whole lot of them out but of course our gutless and incomptetent government didn't have the balls to do it!!
 
Well considering I said OUR incompetent government and me being a citizen of the Republic of Ireland obviously I meant the latter. That ok with you?
 
Over the last ten days ,i have requeSted a new cheque book from ulster bank and so far i have recieved 4 lodgement books,do i get the impression that they do not want to issue me with a new cheque book
 
They were the instigators of my employers going into receivership and their general attitude to assets which they took over is utterly disgraceful. Basically they don't give a toss about ROI business and are even treating their own staff like dirt. I'll never do business with them again.

I've been with NIB over 20 years and I find them fantastic. Very helpful branch staff and a good customer attitude.
 
Can anyone actually recommend a helpful bank - I was thinking of Ulster, but now not so sure. It would kill me if I had to use AIB, BOI or Irish Perm - anyone any ideas? I had used Halifax for my simple banking needs & had no problems, v disappointed they are closing up shop.
 
TLC said:
I had used Halifax for my simple banking needs & had no problems, v disappointed they are closing up shop.
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Same here but am moving to UB for their debit card. I have mixed feelings about them at this stage.

I rang up the local branch yesterday to make an appointment but instead got through to a call centre which judging from the accent was up north. The lady I spoke to told me that she couldn't make an appointment but would get the local branch to call. Hmmm, didn't hold out much hope and I was right, no call received.

I called into the branch this morning looking for an appointment tomorrow morning and they fitted me in for 10am - nice staff, friendly and seemingly efficient.

So far direct dealings are similar to Halifax, phone dealings a bit rubbish.
 
TLC said:
Can anyone actually recommend a helpful bank - I was thinking of Ulster, but now not so sure. It would kill me if I had to use AIB, BOI or Irish Perm - anyone any ideas? I had used Halifax for my simple banking needs & had no problems, v disappointed they are closing up shop.
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No kidding, I switched from Halifax to Ulster recently. Have found them friendly, professional and one of their branches is open on Saturday mornings. What more can you ask for. I wonder if some of the customers who had a bad time with UB were expecting a little too much. Banks are first and foremost businesses, not mutual admiration societies.
 
Capt. Beaky said:
No kidding, I switched from Halifax to Ulster recently. Have found them friendly, professional and one of their branches is open on Saturday mornings. What more can you ask for. I wonder if some of the customers who had a bad time with UB were expecting a little too much. Banks are first and foremost businesses, not mutual admiration societies.
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I'm curious what branch is opened on a Saturday morning?

I think anyone who is criticising staff in UB should remember that almost 25% of their colleagues have left in the last 6 months under various redundancy schemes for staff. Hence a lot of experience is gone in the bank and that will not be replaced over night. That's no consolation if you are the customer at the end of it, but it might explain some of the issues that people have endured recently

Been a customer for 10 years and never have had any issues and recently moved my parents business to them as well after some appaling behaviour from Bank of Ireland. It was very straightforward and my parents have found them very better to use then BOI ever were
 
I have banked with UB for the last 6 years and theyve been great, but i recently took out mortgage in september and all my thoughts have changed. we advised at the time that the house we were buying needed rennovated and would need more funds for this, manager told us best thing to do is get mortgage we need to get house then come back and get additional funds. got agreement (which clearly states you can apply for an advance at any time) and signed etc and are now in property. went back in november again to ask for more funds, all credit checks etc went through and was subject to driveby, to my astonishment the manager phoned me 3 days later and advised we had to wait 6 months. i advise about what ive previously mentioned. we got a letter a couple of days later to advise the bank were happy with their decision. we seeked legal advise and were advised to send a official complaint letter which the bank would have 8 weeks to respond to. same done, left it to end of feb as we heard nothing and spoke to manager. cutting a long story the manager 1st of all advised it was sent to customer relations, they advised me they didnt receive it and then manager tried to say she thought it was the letter they sent me i was talking about??? 2 days later customer relations called me to advise they received my letter via fax from manager??? i have the feeling it had been sitting at the bottom of the pile. since then i have been back to the bank and turned again NOW for affordability purposes even though that was cleared in nov, i have now had no alternative but to go to the FOS. what are your thoughts, thanks
 
Did you get a 90% + loan? Were the extra funds promised after certain works were carried out on the house and after the house was re-valued?
 
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