Ulster Bank's Henri Hippo is Back and he's Hungry for Change

1st April 2008

Ulster Bank has today brought back the iconic 1980s children's character Henri Hippo who introduced the idea of saving to a generation of Irish children nearly 30 years ago. Remember the famous 'Henri's Super Saver Club' that as a child you were either proud to be a member of or envious of your friend who was? Well after a long holiday Henri is back and is hungry for change!

At the re-launch of Henri Hippo, Richard Donnan, Managing Director of Ulster Bank Retail Markets said: "Henri Hippo will be fondly remembered by a generation of Irish adults who were introduced to the concept and habit of saving through a great sense of fun. Many of them will now have their own children to whom they will want to pass on a habit that will have served them well down through the years. We want to help parents encourage and motivate their children to save."

Designed to incentivise children to get into the habit of saving, the Ulster Bank urfirst Account will have a range of fun-based activities designed to make it attractive for children to save. Kids will get their very own Henri Hippo moneybox which can be fed with excess pocket money. Other Henri Hippo goodies will include pencils and keyrings and a website with educational fun games designed to teach children about the value of money.

The urfirst Account can be opened with as little as €5 in any of Ulster Bank's 131 branches across the Republic of Ireland and will be available for children up to 11 years. It is an instant access savings account paying credit interest of 2.3% AER* once a year.

Notes to Editor:

*Variable - Interest is paid after DIRT if applicable.

Henri Hippo was first launched in the early 1980s as part of a market segmentation project undertaken by the bank. In 1984, Henri's Super Savers Club was launched accompanied by widespread promotional activity. Children who joined the Henri Super Savers Club received a gift pack on account opening and then a magazine (Henri's Howler) every quarter. They also received a Henri wall chart calendar at the end of every year.