Northern Ireland accounts only. This page is about Ulster Bank accounts in Northern Ireland. Accounts with Ulster Bank Ireland in the Republic of Ireland were with a separate Irish company and fall outside a UK complaint.
Who are Ulster Bank?
Ulster Bank in Northern Ireland has been part of National Westminster Bank Plc since 3 May 2021, when its business moved across under a court-approved scheme. The brand, sort codes and account numbers stayed the same.
Its standard arranged overdraft is 39.49% APR variable (representative, checked October 2026).
Can I claim against Ulster Bank?
You could, if any of these sound familiar:
- 01In your overdraft most of every month
- 02Wages in, straight back into the red
- 03Your limit went up while you were maxed out
- 04Charges kept coming, and nobody got in touch
Limit increases count too. Each one was a lending decision, so each can be looked at.
What you could get back
Average overdraft claim£2,0231
Overdraft interestRefunded
Fees and chargesRefunded
Interest on your refundAdded
Missed payment markersRemoved
Refunds usually run from when the bank should have stepped in. If you’re still overdrawn, a refund may reduce what you owe rather than being paid in cash.
Ombudsman decisions about Ulster Bank
Published Financial Ombudsman decisions show how complaints like these are judged. Where a complaint is upheld, it is often only from a certain date or for certain lending. Every complaint is decided on its own facts, so these are examples, not a guide to what you’ll get.
- Not upheld
Statements showed a £1,000 overdraft was affordable, with no clear signs of financial difficulty.
Read decision DRN-5577395
Ulster Bank overdraft questions
Can I claim if I’m still overdrawn?
Yes. If the complaint is upheld, the refund may reduce your balance rather than being paid to you in cash.
Will my overdraft be taken away?
It can be. If a complaint is upheld, the bank may reduce or remove the overdraft and agree an affordable way to repay what’s left.
How long does Ulster Bank have to reply?
Eight weeks. If Ulster Bank hasn’t sent a final response by then, or you’re unhappy with it, the complaint can go to the Financial Ombudsman, normally within six months of the final response.
How far back can I claim?
Usually six years from the lending, or three years from when you realised you had cause to complain, whichever is later. Where an account is still running, the ombudsman has sometimes looked back further.
Complain to Ulster Bank yourself
You don’t need a claims company. You can complain to Ulster Bank directly using its complaints page. If you’re unhappy with the answer, or it hasn’t replied within eight weeks, you can take it to the Financial Ombudsman. Both are free.