According to a report the Bank of Ireland are scaling back a northern Ireland innitiative which could mean closing some of its 28 branches north of the border as an alternative to giving up on the northern Ireland market. Bank of Ireland northern Ireland who are said to currently employ 600 staff reportedly have 200,000 consumers, less than 10% of the market. According to the report Ulster Bank northern Ireland said to be owned by the Natwest group, reportedly the biggest lender north of the border is winding down business in southern Ireland.