Customers of some Northern Ireland banks could be charged up to £60 just to open a current account, it was claimed today.
Just weeks after the North's "Big Four" banks were accused by consumer group Which?of ripping off customers with charges 21 times higher than their British counterparts, a banking rival criticised the four institutions.
The Co-Operative Bank said Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank, First Trust and Northern Bank all charged customers for facilities they typically offered for free.
The Co-Operative said Northern Ireland banks charged for the day-to-day running of a current account, including fees of up to £4.50 to set up direct debits and standing orders and up to £8 to replace a lost or damaged bank card.
All such services were normally free in Britain, said the Co-op.
Mr Conor McCann, branch manager at the Co-Operative Bank in Belfast, said: "When you consider that the average person could have up to 10 direct debits and a few standing orders, just setting up an account with some banks in Northern Ireland could cost as much as £60 before you even use it.
"At the Co-Operative Bank we won't charge unnecessary fees to set up an account and, unlike some banks, we certainly will not penalise customers for using our branches."