Northern Ireland's First Ministers Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness have met the head of the Ulster Bank to discuss the difficulties facing local business and households in the current economic climate.

Mr McGuinness said: "We discussed the need for credit to be made available to viable local businesses through our local bank branches.

"We also stressed our view that local banks should deal sympathetically with local businesses and people, not only in providing credit, but also in dealing with debt," he said.

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Mr Robinson welcomed the opportunity hold talks with Mr Dorgan and hear how the bank intends to support local people and businesses.

The First Minister said the discussion were of particular significance to small businesses, in what he described as a "difficult time".

"Government has invested a great deal of money in the Royal Bank of Scotland, the parent company of Ulster Bank. We are keen to ensure that Northern Ireland benefits from this investment," said Mr Robinson.

Mr Dorgan told the ministers the Ulster Bank continues to lend to local businesses and would be in a position to announce further initiatives shortly.

(PR/JM)