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Dublin: 8 °C Tuesday 21 May, 2013

Hundreds of job losses expected at Ulster Bank

There are fears that more than 500 staff could be axed at the Irish arm of the UK-owned bank.

Image: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland

ULSTER BANK IS expected to announce a large number of job cuts today, with speculation that the figure could be greater than 500.

Union officials have said there will be a “substantial reduction” in Irish employee numbers and warned of a “bad day” for staff.

Larry Broderick, leader of the Irish Bank Officials Association, told RTÉ Drivetime: “We still don’t know the exact number.” He said the bank had told the union they are committed to remaining in Ireland.

An unnamed source also confirmed to Reuters that jobs at Ulster Bank would be cut. The number is widely reported to be over 500, with union sources telling the Irish Independent they fear it could be as high as 900.

A spokesperson for the bank yesterday told TheJournal.ie that the reports were “all speculation”, and that any announcement would be made directly to staff.

Meanwhile, Ulster Bank’s UK parent company Royal Bank of Scotland has announced it will cut 3,500 jobs in its investment banking arm. RBS will split its big-business banking services into separate arms, and close or sell other areas of the business, the BBC reports.

Last month it was revealed that the Ulster Bank lost €925 million in deposits after the government introduced a bank guarantee for six of its competitors in the Irish market.

More: Ulster Bank says it won’t comment on potential job cuts>

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Comments (7 Comments)

  • I think the point people should be concerned about here is no the bailout per say but that some 900 staff across the island will loose their jobs. I only hope that they dont face a VitaCortex debaucher of not getting their fair redundancy. It is a pity that any Irish subsidiary, who currently make profit albeit small, shed jobs. Also while the Department must be informed of any prospective redundancies so arrangements can be made, this obviously didnt happen here or in other cases. God help the staff as lets be honest their chances of gaining another job within the banking system will be impossible. Good luck to the staff & hope you survive the economic collapse this country is experiencing.

    Reply
  • Funny how the get the biggest bailout loan of £45.5 billion and yet they still want to fire their Irish staff
    http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0224/breaking12.html

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    • I don’t see your point? That 45 billion pound bailout came from the UK taxpayer and not from the Irish Government. And these job losses are not limited to Ireland, RBS has also announced plans today to reduce it’s UK workforce by over 3,000 over the next 3 years..

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    • ObligPic 12/01/12 #

      What does a bailout of a British bank from the British government have to do with them firing Irish staff?

      It doesn’t. They’re cutting staff across all areas of the company. Unfortunately this happens to affect their Irish staff as well.

      Reply
  • Damn, I bank with Ulster. That’s sad. I was in Woodies DIY in Cork last night after 6. The place had about 3 customers in it, there is no way it can survive for much longer if it keeps going like this. The depression is not over.

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    • Woddies took over Atlantic Homecare Nationally and closed some of these stores before Christmas. I know the one in Letterkenny-Donegal was operating in the positive, but woddies took the decision to close it anyway. Cant understand why they bought a store chain (during the recession) to close them soon after. Ulster Bank staff need the help now and we see if the Banking Federation that have proved little by way of support to the staff can now step up and provide effective guidance. We wait and see!!!

      Reply
  • More customers on the dole ensuring the corporation will remain profitable?

    Reply

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