NI consumers call on BOI to remove charges

The North's Consumer Council is calling on the Bank of Ireland to remove all charges from its personal current accounts in Northern Ireland.

The call comes following BOI’s announcement of free banking for some of its customers in the Republic of Ireland.

Eleanor Gill, Chief Executive at the Consumer Council said: "This time last year, the Consumer Council and Which? Submitted the first ever super-complaint on the £1.9bn (€2.7bn) personal current account market in Northern Ireland.

"As a result, the Competition Commission is conducting a legal investigation putting the banking industry, and particularly our Big Four banks, firmly under the spotlight.

"While the Ulster and Northern Banks have taken steps to offer their customers a better deal, BOI and First Trust Bank continue to ignore consumers’ demands for fee-free banking.

"BOI’s move in the Republic of Ireland serves to further highlight its lack of movement on behalf of its Northern Ireland customers who want to see an end to excessive charges and poor interest payments."

Ulster Bank has removed Direct Debit, standing order and transaction charges from all accounts in credit or agreed overdraft.

The Northern Bank has removed Direct Debit and standing order charges from all personal current account holders and launched a fee-free account.