Ulster Bank to shed 50 jobs in restructuring

Ulster Bank is to lay off up to 50 members of staff as part of an internal restructuring plan that will see a closer alignment the Northern Ireland and British businesses.

The finance union (Iboa) says the plan is a major development in the bank’s history.

“It is crucial that the interests and concerns of customers and staff are taken fully into account, and especially, the need to ensure stability for these key stakeholders, as these substantial structural changes take place in Ulster Bank,” said Iboa general secretary Larry Broderick.

“We have received indications that there may be some impact on staff numbers with up to 50 employees in scope for redundancy.

"However, if this arises, any staff reduction will be addressed in line with the existing agreements between the employer and the union. We have strongly urged management to keep any job losses to an absolute minimum.

“RBS should recognise that staff in Ulster Bank whether in branches, customer service centres or other operations have provided exceptional support to customers in some very difficult circumstances which has, in turn, been reciprocated in the continuing loyalty shown by customers.”

A bank spokesperson said fewer than 50 redundancies will be sought and said these are part of a 2013 plan. The bank said reporting structure changes would not impact daily banking.

“In the Republic of Ireland [the restructuring plan] will allow the business to focus on building a stronger and simpler bank which will deliver sustainable returns over the medium- to long-term while continuing to draw on the scale of RBS for expertise and services.

“These changes will align the business in Northern Ireland with the Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest businesses in the rest of the UK,” the spokesperson added.