14/08/2009

AIB Shares Soar After Canadian Bank Offer

Shares in Allied Irish Bank have shot up this morning after it emerged a Canadian Bank has offered to take a stake in the troubled institution.

AIB was Ireland's second-biggest lender by market value, and its near collapse and litany of controversies almost crushed Ireland's economy completely.

The bank's shares increased as much as 14%, the biggest intra-day move in eight days, and is now trading at €5.89 at 10.00am.

This however is in stark contrast to it's trading price of over €60 at the height of the Celtic Tiger.

Insider sources are said to have revealed to an Irish newspaper that the Canadian bank made the approach to Allied Irish in the last two weeks. However, spokeswoman for the bank, Catherine Burke, has told financial website Bloomberg this morning that Allied Irish "doesn't comment on speculation".

It is understood that the move would only take place after AIB moves its failing development loans to the National Assests Management Agency, which could be as late as June next year, and it is not yet known if the offer is for a majority or a minority stake.

The move has received a tentatively positive reaction in the city, with Goodbody Stockbrokers saying "the market is likely to react positively to the news of a potential support from a new investor".

Meanwhile, in other financial news, Ulster bank has made the surprise announcement that it believes the worst of the economic downturn is over.

The news comes within days of similar pronouncements in France and Germany.

However, despite the optimism, the bank added that recovery in Northern Ireland would lag behind that of the rest of the UK.

See: Ulster Bank 'Says Recession Over'

(DW/BMcC)

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