Ulster Bank launches MoneySense, financial guidance for adults
20th April 2009
Ulster Bank today launched MoneySense, its new guidance programme offering adults free and balanced information to help them better understand and manage their money. The MoneySense programme is delivered online, in print and face-to-face in all Ulster Bank and First Active branches across the island of Ireland.
From today, specially trained and dedicated MoneySense Officers are available in all 227 Ulster Bank branches and in all 60 First Active branches to give practical one-to-one sessions to both customers and non-customers seeking help with budgeting and money management. The programme covers a range of personal finance topics such as:
- Guidance on basic budgets and budgeting skills
- Help with prioritising outgoings and expenses
- Future planning and managing debt
- Protecting finances and dealing with unexpected situations like losing a job, divorce or illness
- General and practical guidance on how financial products work
The branch service is supported by the MoneySense for Adults website at www.ulsterbank.ie/moneysense and the MoneySense 'Making sense of your money' booklet.
MoneySense for Adults builds on Ulster Bank's ongoing investment in financial education in recent years, and supplements the comprehensive resources available through MoneySense for Schools - a financial education programme for 11-18 year olds launched last year, and now in use by over 140 schools in Ireland.
Richard Donnan, Managing Director of Personal Banking at Ulster Bank believes that MoneySense will be welcomed by people at this time. Speaking about MoneySense, Richard said, "In recent months, reports of job losses and the resulting financial pressure on customers has intensified. We want to give people the practical support they may need at this time to help them take control of their finances. Our MoneySense Officers are not allowed to sell or endorse any of our products when delivering this service - it's about being on the side of the customer and helping them make decisions that will help them cope financially".