Royal Bank of Scotland today said it was consulting with unions over plans to cut up to 9,000 jobs in the next two years - of which 4,500 will be in the UK.
The IBOA union today expressed its concern at the threat to further job cuts at Ulster and the effect this would have on redundancy talks at the bank.
IBOA general secretary Larry Broderick said staff at the bank are "seriously concerned that more jobs may now be at risk in Ireland - in addition to the 750 jobs already targeted by senior management" following today's announcement.
"IBOA the Finance Union is already engaged with Ulster Bank on the restructuring programme announced in January. We have sought clarification from both RBS and Ulster Bank that there will be no further job losses of a compulsory nature, as a result of today's announcement" Mr Broderick said.
"Unless this issue is clarified to our satisfaction, it will not be possible for IBOA to conclude the current round of negotiations on the 750 job reductions proposed for the Ulster Bank Group's operations on the island of Ireland."
Royal Bank of Scotland, which is now 70 per cent owned by the UK government, is cutting the roles from its backroom staff under plans to save £2.5 billion over the next three years.
RBS added that the actual number of jobs lost was likely to be “significantly lower” due to natural turnover, fewer agency staff and voluntary redundancies.
The cuts come on top of the 2,700 job losses already announced by RBS in Britain this year. Royal Bank of Scotland owns Ulster Bank and First Active.
The Ulster Bank Group is cutting 750 jobs across its Irish businesses and plans to merge with its sister bank, First Active. As a result, First Active, will cease to exist as a separate entity.
IBOA said it was also concerned at the failure of RBS CEO Stephen Hester, to respond to the union's requests for a meeting to clarify the future of Ulster Bank within the RBS Group.
Mr. Broderick said the union would be contacting Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan on the issue.