19/06/2008

US Brokers Say Irish Banks Are Weak

Irish banks have taken a huge body blow after US brokers announced Irish banks were weaker than their European counterparts.

The report by brokers Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Ltd (KBW) led to shares in Irish banks taking a serious fall on Thursday morning following on from the previous day’s reduction of almost €2.5bn in the value of shares on the Stock Exchange.

The brokers said in research notes to investors that the Bank of Ireland and Anglo Irish Bank have a lower Tier 1 capital, a measure of financial strength, than most European banks.

Following the comments, shares in the Bank of Ireland fell by 6% on Wednesday, and were another 3% lower by 10am on Thursday morning, standing at €6.35. Its shares are now 56% lower than at this time last year.

Meanwhile the Anglo Irish Bank was 1.3% lower after yesterday's 2.5% fall. It too is showing almost a 56% reduction in its share price in a year. AIB had fallen by 3%, following its own 4% fall on Wednesday.

Irish Life and Permanent, ahead of a trading update at 12pm on Thursday, was 4% lower at €8.40 this morning.

(DW)


Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

14 December 2010
Brian Blocks Bank Bonus Bonanza
The Irish Republic's Finance Minister has blocked the payment of €40 million in bonuses by the state dependant AIB bank. Brian Lenihan wrote to Allied Irish Banks (AIB) saying that state support for AIB was now conditional on the non-payment of bonuses, no matter when they may have been earned.
10 February 2010
Cowen Reassures As Opposition Panics Over Bank Withdrawal
The Taoiseach has stepped in to reassure Halifax customers after the bank announced this morning it was pulling out of the Irish market. Meanwhile however, the Opposition party Fine Gael have been prompted to ask if other banks are following the move.
16 May 2008
'Large Irish Presence' At Cannes
The focal point for the Irish film industry at the Cannes Film Festival, the Irish Pavilion, has opened again for business this week, with over 200 of the leading lights of the Irish film industry flying out to the festival to promote and sell new Irish cinema.
24 November 2010
Irish Credit Downgraded By Agency
Ireland's difficulties seem to worsen by the hour as Standard & Poor's announce they are downgrading the State's international credit rating and placing its banks on "CreditWatch". The news comes just after another international ratings agency, Moody's, announced it would be slashing Ireland's credit rating, following the news of the Irish bailout.
30 September 2008
Irish Banks Get Government Lifeline
Customers of Irish banks are now having their cash 'covered' after a surprise move from the Irish government late yesterday that it will "guarantee all deposits". The high-risk move had an almost immediate positive impact on early trading today, with the ISEQ index of Irish shares opening 3.4% higher, at 3,412 points.