Ulster Bank extends mortgage breaks as it posts huge level of impairment costs                

Pictured: CEO Bank of Ireland Francesca McDonagh & Ulster Bank CEO Jane Howardalong with members of AIB, Bank of Ireland, KBC, Permanent tsb and Ulster Bank,following a meeting Finance Minister Paschal Donohie at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Around 60% of the Ulster Bank customers availing of mortgage payment breaks during the Covid-19 crisis have requested an extension for the full period of six months, the bank has revealed.

It comes as Ulster Bank posted plunged to an operating loss of €276m after chalking up €278m in impairment charges in the first half the year.