ULSTER Bank is to extend its Saturday opening policy to a further 15 branches across the island of Ireland, with 13 of them opening their doors from this weekend.

Ulster Bank has today stated that its policy of Saturday opening has been "a major success" since the initiative began in September 2010.

Ulster Bank is to create around 24 jobs when it opens three new branches, it said today.

Ulster Bank have announced a three-year sponsorship deal with Ulster A, Ulster U21s and Ulster U19s to help develop the full potential of younger players.