Bank drops 'exotic' dancers scheme

MANAGEMENT AT Ulster Bank were yesterday forced to withdraw a promotion in which students were offered tickets for an “exotic” show for opening a new account.

First year students at the Institute of Technology Tallaght in south Dublin were also offered €100 in their student account. It is understood the event at the Metro bar in Tallaght was organised by the students’ union at the college.

Ulster Bank representatives had been handing out tickets for the exotic event along with a goodie bag to new student customers.

In a statement the bank – which is owned by Royal Bank of Scotland – said it withdrew its association with the promotion once it realised what the tickets were for.

“In line with Ulster Bank’s ongoing support for student events across the country, we can confirm that as part of our student campaign in IT Tallaght we promoted a freshers’ week event to be held at the Metro bar,” said a spokeswoman.

“Ulster Bank has no involvement in the organisation of this event and once the nature of the event was realised, the bank immediately withdrew any association with the event.”

A spokeswoman for the college said: “Institute of Technology Tallaght has no association with Ulster Bank and has no further comment.”

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) said it had no say on what individual committees organised, while the Tallaght students’ union had no comment.

It is understood the Metro bar has cancelled the exotic dancers, who were booked to perform on September 24th.

Parents accused the bank of “stooping to a new low” to attract young customers, and a women’s rights group said they were appalled at the idea of the event.

Susan McKay, director of the National Women’s Council of Ireland, said this was another blot on the reputation of a bank which was already disgraced. – (additional reporting PA)