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24 January 2023: Ulster Bank will halt transactions in its 63 remaining branches on the 31st of March 2023. All branches will then close on the 21st of April 2023.

After March 31st, Ulster Bank customers won’t be able to cash or cheque lodgements at the counter or withdraw money in branch, except through an ATM.

The bank will keep offering online and phone banking services, until the accounts of customers are frozen.

All current and deposit accounts that have passed the six month notice period are now queued for closure, with the exception of known vulnerable customers.

24 February: Bank of Ireland has increased rates for the second time in four months in response to sharp rate rises by the European Central Bank (ECB).

The rise will also affect existing BOI mortgage customers, who’ll see a 0.5% hike in available fixed-rate products. These changes will take effect from 24 January 2023.

16 January 2023: From January 16th, Permanent TSB are raising their fixed rates by between 0.05% and 0.8%. The exact amount depends on the loan to value ratio, loan size and the length of the mortgage term.

The price change won’t affect current fixed rate customers, and those who were offered a mortgage from November 18th have until their agreed end date, or April 14th (whichever is earlier), to draw it down and avail of the lower rate.

The latest increase adds €120 to the monthly costs of a typical first-time buyer mortgage.

10 January 2023: Flogas has launched the first fixed-price energy deal for three years as wholesale gas prices drop and hope returns to the energy market. Customers have been hit by massive hikes in gas and electricity bills over the last 2 years amid volatility in global markets.

This move by Flogas signals optimism that prices could slide further and other suppliers may offer similar fixed-rate deals in the coming weeks. Flogas is also offering €300 welcome credit for new dual-fuel plan customers and €150 welcome credit for new single fuel customers.

19 December 2022: 1.1m Electric Ireland customers will receive a €50 credit on their electricity bill, as the supplier forgoes profits for the coming year. Electric Ireland will also increase their hardship fund from €2m to €5m.

The good news comes amid ongoing energy price hikes and below-zero temperatures. Electric Ireland’s parent company, ESB, has also announced a surge in generating profits since June.

7 December 2022: For the third time this year Avant Money has increased interest rates by up to 1% amid further rises from the ECB. The five year fixed rate for first-time buyers is now 3.8%, up from 2.9%.

Borrowers on fixed-term loans won’t be impacted by the rise until their fixed-term ends. Avant Money is the only lender still offering long term fixed mortgages over 10 years because other lenders have withdrawn these products for new customers.