Opinion

Another embarrassing IT problem for Ulster Bank

While computer glitches can hit any organisation, it is fair to say the Ulster Bank has had more than its fair share of technical difficulties.

In 2012, hundreds of thousands of customers in Northern Ireland and the Republic experienced problems for several weeks. NatWest customers in Britain were also affected and the entire fiasco led to parent company Royal Bank of Scotland being handed a £56 million fine.

RBS boss Ross McEwan has admitted this technology failure was a catastrophe but said the bank has spent £750 million fixing its systems.

It was therefore rather embarrassing for Ulster Bank to be hit with yet another IT glitch yesterday with customers finding expected payments had not gone into their accounts.

RBS has apologised but loyal customers are entitled to feel disgruntled, not just at this further inconvenience but also the lack of information from the bank at an early stage.