This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18542486#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Ulster Bank branches to open late following technical glitch Ulster Bank to work over weekend to fix technical problems
(about 1 hour later)
Ulster Bank branches across Northern Ireland are to open late on Friday, after a major technical fault caused a backlog in its payments system. Ulster Bank has said it will be Monday before the backlog in its payments system is cleared, with many customers still unable to access their accounts.
More than 100,000 customers were affected. The banks will remain open until 19:00 BST. Technicians are expected to work over the weekend in an attempt to resolve issues that meant some customers' accounts were not updated.
Salary transfers and welfare benefits are among the payments affected. Branches across Northern Ireland are to open until 19:00 BST on Friday.
A spokeswoman said they were "working hard to minimise the impact and will ensure that those who are affected do not suffer any financial loss". More than 100,000 Ulster Bank customers have been affected.
"Ulster Bank customers can access their money as normal through our branch network," she said. As well as Ulster Bank customers, others with Natwest and RBS accounts have also been affected.
"ATM and Anytime internet and mobile banking services are available but are reflecting the one-day delay in customers' balances." A spokeswoman said on Friday the bank was "still experiencing delays in updating customer balances and automated payments" because of a "systems issue".
About 30 Ulster Bank branches in Northern Ireland will remain open until 19:00 BST on Friday for people unable to get to the bank during working hours. "Over the weekend we will endeavour to clear the backlog of automated payments to ensure our customers' balances are up-to-date and that we are operational on Monday morning," she said.
Customers at Natwest and RBS have also been experiencing problems. "Customers who have incurred fees or charges as a result of this issue will be fully refunded in due course."
The spokeswoman added: "We appreciate that this is having significant impact on many of our customers and customers of other banks and we apologise unreservedly for this." A number of those affected by the problems contacted href="http://www.facebook.com/BBCNewsline/posts/436394443059116" >BBC Newsline on Facebook to voice their concerns.
The Consumer Council has said it has sought reassurance that Ulster Bank customers will not incur any additional charges as a result of the bank's technical issues. Some people's salaries had not been processed, while others had encountered problems withdrawing money from their bank accounts.
"The Consumer Council acknowledges the commitment given by Ulster Bank but intends to monitor this situation so that the bank ensures no customer loses out as a result of this error," the council's Antoinette McKeown said. Business owners said it meant they were unable to pay staff and suppliers, while one woman was unable to to pay a deposit due on a new house.
A number of those affected by the problems contacted BBC Newsline on Facebook to voice their concerns. Some people's salaries had not been processed, while others had encountered problems withdrawing money from their bank accounts.