AIB doubts over IL

REPORTS that AIB is looking at the sale of Ark Life to Hibernian scuppers any chance of a bid by the bank for Irish Life & Permanent.

That is the view of Eamonn Hughes of Goodbody Stockbrokers, an AIB subsidiary.

Goodbody’s is also brokers to the bank. The weekend reports, not denied by AIB, that it was examining the sale of Ark Life has implications for future strategy in the Irish market, according to Mr Hughes.