Ulster Bank Renews Leading Role at Prestigious Balmoral Show

Show organisers anticipate biggest and best show ever as bank increases farming focus

27th February 2010

Ulster Bank’s lending to the agricultural sector will increase further during 2010, the Bank announced today as it confirmed that it will once again be the primary sponsor of the Balmoral Show. Ulster Bank has boosted its farming customer base since first sponsoring the Show last year and remains strongly committed to extending its support for the sector. The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) Balmoral Show takes place from May 12 to 14 and promises to be one of the best ever Colin McDonald, Chief Executive of the RUAS commented.

Ulster Bank’s Head of Business Banking, Henry Elvin, says that continuing its lead sponsorship of the Balmoral Show is part of its strong focus on supporting farmers and the wider agri industry in 2010.

He says: "Many of Northern Ireland’s larger food companies are long-term clients of Ulster Bank and we have been working hard to increase our business with individual farmers. We’ve had considerable success in this respect, particularly in the last 12 months, because we have a significant amount of funding available for the farming sector and can offer market-leading rates."

"Agriculture is a vital sector for the Northern Ireland economy, so we are very pleased to be able to make an important contribution to its continued development. We will be making even more lending available to the farming sector in 2010 and have plans to both expand our expert team of dedicated farming relationship managers and to introduce a range of leading products to meet the needs of farmers. Our strong presence at the Show will play an important role in helping us communicate the funding and expertise we can offer," Mr Elvin adds.

Colin McDonald, Chief Executive of the RUAS, says: "Ulster Bank demonstrated its strong commitment to agriculture by becoming our principal sponsor last year and we are delighted that it has agreed to extend its support into 2010. This is a measure of the importance to the economy of this key sector and to Ulster Bank’s prioritisation of it. The continued sponsorship will play a vital role in allowing us to expand our promotion of agri business in Ireland."