Ulster Bank reveals new ‘vertical’ £5 and £10 notes

By David Hunter

Ulster Bank has revealed what its new polymer banknotes will look like when they enter circulation.

They'll be the UK and Ireland’s first main issue ‘vertical’ banknotes and are based on the theme ‘Living in Nature’.

The notes are currently entering production and the bank is currently working with vendors and retailers to ensure that machines can accept and use the notes when they are released next year.

The bank say the notes were developed by and for Northern Ireland with a panel of experts and people from across the country.

The five pound note focuses on Northern Ireland as a place that people pass through and visit, highlighting the importance of the sea and migration, featuring Strangford lough and Brent Geese.

The new ten pound note focuses on 'growth' both in terms of agriculture and heritage. It features Lough Erne, Irish hare and Guelder-rose shrubs.

A king scallop from Strangford Lough also features on the notes, as does an Ulster Glade potato, developed in County Antrim.

Richard Donnan, Head of Ulster Bank in Northern Ireland, said: “Innovation is at the core of our bank, whether that’s through digital technologies, in our face-to-face services, or these designs”.

“The notes will also contain advanced security features that will make the notes much harder to counterfeit – giving customers reassurance that their money is safe and secure.”