Managing Debt - How can we help?
How we can help
If you are having difficulty managing your mortgage, loan or credit card, we are here to help. Ulster Bank has introduced a financial assessment that is designed to evaluate your financial situation and give you a helping hand when you need it most.
Specially trained Ulster Bank staff, from our arrears support unit, will carry out a financial review. They will take account of your current financial situation and will take you through the repayment options available, helping you to work out the best way to manage your debt and meet your repayments. These options include:
- extending the loan term*
- temporarily moving to interest only payments*
- reduced payments on a temporary basis*
- postponement of monthly repayments for a defined period of time*
You may be asked to provide further documentation to support the information provided in the financial review.
* All options outlined in this section are offered for a defined period of time and are subject to specific terms and conditions. Every customer's circumstances are different so our Ulster Bank staff will review your situation and then discuss some solutions potentially available to you. During any repayment option, interest will still accrue and may increase the total amount repayable. At the end of any reduced repayment plan, your monthly payments may be higher then they were prior to the plan.
Below is an example of how our financial review could assist a family* to manage their debt and meet their mortgage repayments. Their monthly budget is as follows:
| Income: | |
|---|---|
| Salary | £2,700 |
| Child Benefit | £332 |
| Total Income: | £3,032 |
| Expenditure: | |
|---|---|
| Mortgage | £1,500 |
| Car loan | £250 |
| Car tax, insurance & running costs | £300 |
| Home Phone | £70 |
| Electricity and Fuel | £150 |
| Food & Clothing | £600 |
| Mobile phone | £50 |
| Home & Life Insurance | £150 |
| Health Insurance | £200 |
| Credit Card | £100 |
| Total Outgoings: | £3,370 |
This results in a monthly shortfall of £338.
Following a financial assessment, Ulster Bank agreed to temporarily reduce the monthly mortgage repayment to £1,107.50 for six months.
This resulted in a monthly excess of £54.50 for the customer.
In this example it is important to understand that the reduced repayment is less than the amount required to cover the monthly mortgage payment. Therefore the mortgage balance and the interest due will continue to increase until such time as this shortfall is fully repaid.
Our trained advisors will explain any proposed alternative repayment arrangement and provide you with written details. The arrangement will then be reviewed by Ulster Bank within six months. As part of this review we will contact you to discuss whether there has been any change in your individual circumstances. That way we can determine whether the alternative arrangement is still appropriate for you.
If debt is becoming a problem call us today on 0845 3016910 in relation to mortgage debt or 0845 602 3112 for non mortgage debt. Alternatively, you can arrange an appointment at your local branch. Please note that calls may be recorded.
For even more helpful and practical ways to overcome money problems, download Ulster Bank's guide to dealing with debt here (PDF)
