Ulster Bank- a responsible business - Business In The Community

Ulster Bank- a responsible business

Ulster Bank, a subsidiary of RBS, employs 5,500 people with 2,200 in Northern Ireland and serves 1.9 million personal and business customers across the island of Ireland.

Background

Ulster Bank delivers services through 175 branches, online, telephone and mobile phone banking.

What Ulster Bank did

Ulster Bank’s ambition is to become the number one bank for trust, customer service and advocacy by 2020 and it has made a commitment to achieving this aim by running a sustainable and responsible business.

The focus of Ulster Bank’s responsibility efforts lies within four key areas: customers, colleagues, communities and corporate stakeholders. Under this strategy, Ulster Bank has developed and implemented a number of initiatives such as a new flexible working arrangement scheme; creation of a new Ulster Bank Wellbeing Hub and establishment of a ‘Business Women Can’ internal network.

Additionally, in 2015, the bank launched its Skills and Opportunities Fund, committing £2.5 million a year to fund charities, social enterprise, community groups, schools/colleges that are running projects aimed at helping disadvantaged communities. These projects will help people learn new skills, get into work, or start a business.

The outcomes and impacts

  • £220,000 worth of grants donated to community organisations through Skills and Opportunities Fund
  • Only bank to offer ATM Giving Scheme, allowing customers to donate to 14 charities
  • £900,000 fundraised since 2013
  • 8,000 volunteering hours given by employees
  • 29% reduction in customer complaints