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Ulster Bank makes 'large losses' Ulster Bank makes 'large losses'
(about 1 hour later)
The Ulster Bank has made a significant loss in the first three months of this year, according to new figures.The Ulster Bank has made a significant loss in the first three months of this year, according to new figures.
The Royal Bank of Scotland's regional banking arm - which is made up almost exclusively of the Ulster Bank - made an operating loss of £91m in that time.The Royal Bank of Scotland's regional banking arm - which is made up almost exclusively of the Ulster Bank - made an operating loss of £91m in that time.
It said the main reason was a £180m rise in impairment losses or bad debt.It said the main reason was a £180m rise in impairment losses or bad debt.
Overall, the RBS, which is now 70% owned by the taxpayer, announced a pre-tax loss of £44m for the first quarter of the year.Overall, the RBS, which is now 70% owned by the taxpayer, announced a pre-tax loss of £44m for the first quarter of the year.
Chief executive of the Ulster Bank Group Cormac McCarthy said the bank's underlying business remained strong. Chief executive of the Ulster Bank Group, which operates across the island of Ireland, Cormac McCarthy said the bank's underlying business remained strong.
He said the results reflected the unprecedented downturn in the Irish economy and a significant downturn in Northern Ireland.He said the results reflected the unprecedented downturn in the Irish economy and a significant downturn in Northern Ireland.
Earlier this week, one of the other main banks in Northern Ireland reported its results for the first quarter of the year.Earlier this week, one of the other main banks in Northern Ireland reported its results for the first quarter of the year.
The Northern Bank said it had made an operating profit of just over £16.1m, but was setting aside £55m for possible bad debt in the year ahead. The Northern Bank, which only operates in NI, said it had made an operating profit of just over £16.1m, but was setting aside £55m for possible bad debt in the year ahead.
In February, the Ulster Bank said it had a "solid future" despite massive 2008 losses by the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).In February, the Ulster Bank said it had a "solid future" despite massive 2008 losses by the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).
The annual loss by RBS of £24.1bn was the largest in UK corporate history.The annual loss by RBS of £24.1bn was the largest in UK corporate history.
The Ulster Bank, which has more than 1.8m customers, has 145 branches in the Republic and 92 in Northern Ireland.The Ulster Bank, which has more than 1.8m customers, has 145 branches in the Republic and 92 in Northern Ireland.
The bank announced in January that it planned to cut 550 jobs in the Republic, and 200 in Northern Ireland.The bank announced in January that it planned to cut 550 jobs in the Republic, and 200 in Northern Ireland.