Ulster Bank has abolished the majority of transaction charges on its current accounts as competitions intensifies among Ireland's retail banks.
The bank has also removed charges for overdrafts, standing orders, direct debits, cheque clearing, telephone/online banking and ATM transactions.
The "free banking" service applies whether current accounts are in credit or debit and covers clearing of non-Ulster Bank cheques and direct debits.
The bank estimates that the abolition of current account fees will save customers with the average amount of transactions between €50 and €100 per annum.
The new no-fee structure which will be available from February 17 thautomatically applies to all personal customers, both new and existing.
However charges for additional services still apply and full details of these charges will be posted to all existing customers in advance of the February 17 thswitchover.
Competition for accounts has intensified in the Irish market following th entry of Bank of Scotland and the takeover of NIB by Danske Bank. Bank of Scotland Ireland opened the first three bank branches today in a network which it plans to expand to 46 over the next 14 months.