KBC Bank Group sticks to review as FSU writes to Michael Noonan

KBC Bank Group in Belgium said it has no plans to bring forward its decision on the future of its Irish bank and said it has been “very open and transparent” as the Financial Services Union said it had written to Finance Minister Michael Noonan on the matter.

KBC has carried out a review of its long-term plans in Ireland for over two years, saying it had not ruled out any option for its bank here which employs around 1,000 people, and it would announce its decision about the bank’s decision when it releases its 2016 earnings, on February 9.

However, Larry Broderick, general secretary of the Financial Services Union, yesterday urged the bank to bring forward its decision because he said it was unfair to keep staff on tenterhooks.