Ulster Bank Avis 

Absolutely useless. Confuluted system with minimum instructions on how to proceed. A simple step-by-step guide is all that is needed to simplify the process. Eventually managed to speak to someone on the phone, must have been their first day as they didn't understand the system either. I eventually managed to get assigned a password and pin, then when logging in, told I needed to wait for a card reader before I could log in. Not for me, I will save somewhere else.

Totally agree with many other reviews, ref their poor service. I tried opening a new savings account, absolute waste of time, customer service is none-existent , digital assistant is total c****. Dire company!

No surprise to see their rating is low I have no intention of pursuing my application any longer. Going round in circles and all you get is Cora talking out of her backside prefer to castrate myself with a rusty pair of scissors;

The account opening process is as antiquated and cumbersome as everyone says..

1 week in and still no details received.

I have spent ages trying to open a loyalty saver account. Seriously terrible and cumbersome process. Don’t bother trying to call because even when you do get through (after waiting for ages) the knowledge of the person answering is astonishingly low. They give you the wrong information and you are right back where you started. Believe the other one star reviews, they are completely accurate.

If they can’t deal with opening an account how can I trust them to let me have access to my money when i need it? The answer to that is that I can’t. Natwest (owing Ulster) should be ashamed of itself. The joke is that we poor taxpayers still own a stake in NatWest after having bailed it out of trouble! Truly pathetic.

Like others, wish I'd checked on here first. I've been spreading funds for FSCS security so have opened several savings accounts without any bother. Ulsterbank.co.uk is remarkable in its incompetence.

My account was confirmed as open three weeks ago but I still don't have any of the details necessary to access it.

The support bot is dreadful. And even when they put you through to a person (apparently) they seem unable to communicate or get to the point of anything.

If their application process is any reflection of how they look after your savings, steer well clear!

** updated to 3 stars. It did get sorted but involved a ridiculous amount of time and lack of clarity. With the benefit of hindsight I would not have started this application.

A follow up from my previous post.
Still no success in opening my account which I started 3rd October.
Just received this
"Please note we're currently experiencing higher than normal complaint volumes and there may be a delay before we're able to start investigating your complaint. We appreciate your patience, we'll contact you as soon as we can to update you on our findings."
Need I say more...........?

Step by step instructions via email and text and then letter. Identification process on line simple. Doesn’t open overnight so a little patience for checks and opening account but otherwise easy process.

Woeful customer service! Trying still to open a Savings account on line. Their systems cant deal with it. Cora chat service is not a live chat - yet it states it is. Finally got through to an advisor.
Telling me now that even though I have applied on line I have to come into my local branch to verify my ID and complete the application. Seriously??
All my local branches have been closed.
Ulster Bank have just lost out on a substantial savings investment. I'm finding another home for my money!

Tried opening an account on 19.10.23. Entered all my details, uploaded passport and was told my account would be open within 48 hours.

Over a week later, over two hours spent on the utterly awful chatbot / live chat and an hour on the phone to a lady who said they are unable to deal with such issues on the phone (has to be via live chat). The final outcome - "There has been a glitch and you will need to re-start your application".

If they can't do the most basic task of opening an account or rectifying with their own error, god knows what a mess they would have made with my savings. A lucky escape.

Registered for a savings account a couple of weeks ago. Long delay in getting to the stage of having an account. Finally get activation code. Letter tells me that I need my customer reference (which they have not sent to me) and to go to a webpage and click "activate now" link (that does not exist there).
Tried their chatbox with its clueless operatives and am passed from one to another. Each operative asks me for slightly different personal information (are trying to get a full profile of my details?) It seems to be an Indian call centre!
The third operative cuts me off.
Just don't waste your time as I have.

Trying to open an account, however, it is such a Pain communicating with them, that I will put my money elsewhere. If it's this difficult to get your money into the bank heaven knows what issues you will face when you want to get your money out. Cora the chat option is completely useless, it just keeps closing mid-chat.
If you're the CEO, get your processes sorted mate.

Ulster Bank Not Fit for Purpose

This is only the third review I have ever posted but I'm driven to it. My wife and I each opened a Loyalty account. There a so many codes drip fed over a span of time. It was not straight forward. Then when I received a code out of the blue I had an online chat with 'Cora'.That didn't resolve my query so I requested to speak with a human. He was basically incompetent and hadn't fully understood and taken on board my questions. We'll let our accounts go dormant even though they were set up to accept a transfer. We just do not trust them to give us the access we need to easily withdraw our money.

First rule of business: If you can't deliver it, don't offer it. Trying to set up an instant access savings account and it's like pulling teeth. There is very little point to offering an attractive headline rate if when someone applies for it, you make Fort Knox look accessible by comparison. It's a week since I started the process and still have no account. Oh and as for that ludicrous digital assistant on the website (CORA), just bin it. It's as much use as a chocolate teapot, (unless you want to go around in circles for twenty minutes).

I just tried to open an account online.
The account opening process said I had to chose a branch, and to find one enter my post code.
I did that and it came up with the message
Sorry there aren't any near you.

No way to continue the process so I will be going else where.
Shame as it looks like a good product otherwise

Well like others I was drawn to Ulster Bank due to their market leading interest rate on their instant access loyalty saver!
The application process and the steps to actually open the account is arduous and inefficient, that's why I only gave 4 stars as it took me about 3 weeks from application to having the account up and running which is a little crazy! I prefer digital only banks where you can open and use an account within minutes but as they can't match Ulster rates...!

Now that my account is open all seems to be good, rather wish interest was paid monthly than annually but their app seems good. I haven't tried withdrawals yet but will report back if I have any issues, so far so good!

Went for the saving account purely for the good interest rate.Am not interested in banking services, daily withdrawal limits etc. Got account open in 48 hours, made deposit, Did not need chatbox or to speak to anyone (which I know can be frustrating). All went like clockwork. I'm also happy with Natwest online interface with card reader, gives good sense of security. Not sure why others encountered so many problems. Early days but so far so good

Really slow
I had to go to a branch far away to confirm my details. I waited 10 days and tried to contact them for an update. It took me 2 hours to get an update that it is not done yet. I cancelled the application. I regret not checking trustpilot sooner...

Well, I thought this was 2023 not 1923. I have never ever known such a long drawn out process to open a Loyalty Savings account. I deal with many banks but Ulster Bank receives the lowest possible rating from me. I will not be banking with this bank

Applied for an Ulster Bank Loyalty Saver account, as currently paying a top rate of interest. Perhaps the most complicated, long-winded and unclear application process of any bank account I have ever opened. Although account now open, I apparently need to wait "15 working days" for a card & card reader (yuk) that are required if I want to withdraw money from the account. There are daily limits on withdrawals that were not clear when I applied. And there's no phone helpline, just an idiotic chatbot. I will keep my money instead with other top-paying saver accounts: Santander, Cynergy, Tandem etc.