Ulster Bank Loyalty Account - how do I withdraw money?

Fletchy

I opened this account with Ulster Bank for the interest rate and paid money in. When I tried to set up a payee so that I could withdraw money I was told to use their app and register for biometrics. I did this but the app didn't allow me to register biometrics as I had only started using the app on my device. So I can't withdraw any money!

I have tried to complain online but haven't got anywhere with them.

The only other option seems to be using a card reader but I don't have a card! So I have ordered both a card and a card reader now and I wonder what problems I will get with these.

Has anybody else had any problems with Ulster Bank and can give me any advice?

Thanks

1spiral

I opened an Ulster savings account about 4 or 5 years ago when they had a market leading 1.25%. At that time I got a card and card reader. After that account became obsolete, I kept the card and card reader. When opening my loyalty saver recently, I used the old card and reader. The only problem I encountered was flat batteries. I have withdrawn successfully using this method on several occasions recently.

Rollinghome

It's generally a good idea to test withdrawals from any new account before paying in a large sum.  There are, or were, a few others that have similar annoying restrictions that prevent immediate withdrawals.  Tesco being one, as I recall. I didn't have any problems, as I was surprised to be able to resurrect an old Ulster Bank account from yonks back, which still had my payees listed. 

The card reader works well enough but involves a bit of button-pushing so is a bit of a pain. The apps for both Ulster and Natwest are virtually the same and arguably the best I've used.  With any luck you should soon be sorted and if not, you could try wandering into a NatWest branch for help, which Ulster list as their branches.

Middle_of_the_Road

5. Can I withdraw money?

Yes, you can withdraw or transfer to any other account based in the UK up to the daily limits.

You must register with Anytime Internet Banking to withdraw or transfer using online, telephony or our mobile app. If you do not have a card with your account, we will send you a card reader and an Anytime Internet Banking card and PIN to make payments securely. You must enable the card reader to make payments online.  Once you are set up, you can withdraw money by online transfer or on the mobile app, up to the daily limits.

If you live in Northern Ireland, you can also withdraw money in branch in addition to online and mobile.

Rollinghome

1spiral said:

I used the old card and reader. The only problem I encountered was flat batteries.

Just to mention that a reader from almost any other bank seems to work as well, if you have one (and a card to read) including Nationwide. I've still got a drawer full of the things.

friolento

Rollinghome said:

1spiral said:

I used the old card and reader. The only problem I encountered was flat batteries.

Just to mention that a reader from almost any other bank seems to work as well, if you have one (and a card to read) including Nationwide. I've still got a drawer full of the things.

Without an Ulster card, no reader will work. If you only have a savings account with them, you can order a Service Card. They don't tell you this when you apply for the account.

Also, at Ulster, you first have to register the card reader before you can use one.  https://www.ulsterbank.co.uk/banking-with-ulster-bank/how-to/card-reader.html

Rollinghome

Without an Ulster card, no reader will work.

Well it comes as no surprise that you can't read an Ulster card if you don't have one to read. But thanks for making that clear for us.

My old Ulster card has long expired, but it certainly worked fine with a Nationwide reader when I last used it, and so did my Natwest card more recently. My Nationwide card can also be read by either an Ulster or Natwest  card reader. Whether there has been any changes recently, I have no idea.

PS. I've just tried my Natwest card in a Nationwide reader, and it still seems to be fine. So I'd be surprised if Uster Bank, a trading name of Natwest, would be different but perhaps that is about to change. I'd guess very few customers want card readers now.

35har1old

Fletchy said:

I opened this account with Ulster Bank for the interest rate and paid money in. When I tried to set up a payee so that I could withdraw money I was told to use their app and register for biometrics. I did this but the app didn't allow me to register biometrics as I had only started using the app on my device. So I can't withdraw any money!

I have tried to complain online but haven't got anywhere with them.

The only other option seems to be using a card reader but I don't have a card! So I have ordered both a card and a card reader now and I wonder what problems I will get with these.

Has anybody else had any problems with Ulster Bank and can give me any advice?

Thanks

When using Nat West App the biometric only kicked in at £1000 as the Ulster Bank is part of the group using the same system surely it would have the same limit

GreenWiz

I've had a bad experience with them and very much regret opening an account with them.
Their application system was a nightmare accepting only certain ID for POA that I did not have as just moved. It took a week to get set up.
I then discovered that larger deposit can only be made by CHAPS at one of their branches...in Northen Ireland!...I was incorrectly advised that I could do this at a Natwest or RBS bank in England. I went to a local Natwest who informed me that this not possible and they coujd not even see my account on their system, the link between the two being in name only. 
Then I also found out in the more detailed T&C once the account opened that I can only withdraw £5k daily. THEN I discover this also not true and I limited to £1k daily. I will be removing this as fast as I can. Not recommended.

PloughmansLunch

GreenWiz said:

I've had a bad experience with them and very much regret opening an account with them.
Their application system was a nightmare accepting only certain ID for POA that I did not have as just moved. It took a week to get set up.
I then discovered that larger deposit can only be made by CHAPS at one of their branches...in Northen Ireland!...I was incorrectly advised that I could do this at a Natwest or RBS bank in England. I went to a local Natwest who informed me that this not possible and they coujd not even see my account on their system, the link between the two being in name only. 
Then I also found out in the more detailed T&C once the account opened that I can only withdraw £5k daily. THEN I discover this also not true and I limited to £1k daily. I will be removing this as fast as I can. Not recommended.

I've just paid in quite a bit today so this worried me, but after checking it seems £5k is the default across all channels and can be tweaked to £20k in Payment Settings as per RBS and Natwest. I can't seem to find anything saying the limit is £1k?

35har1old

GreenWiz said:

I've had a bad experience with them and very much regret opening an account with them.
Their application system was a nightmare accepting only certain ID for POA that I did not have as just moved. It took a week to get set up.
I then discovered that larger deposit can only be made by CHAPS at one of their branches...in Northen Ireland!...I was incorrectly advised that I could do this at a Natwest or RBS bank in England. I went to a local Natwest who informed me that this not possible and they coujd not even see my account on their system, the link between the two being in name only. 
Then I also found out in the more detailed T&C once the account opened that I can only withdraw £5k daily. THEN I discover this also not true and I limited to £1k daily. I will be removing this as fast as I can. Not recommended.

You are able to alter transfer limits mine are currently £20000.
Santander has a £2000 starting limit.
The £1k rate you mention is via the app before you setup biometrics for the app