400 jobs and 40 bank branches in the balance

NATIONAL Australia Bank has informed the bank officials union, the IBOA, it will be January before any final decision is taken on the sale of Irish subsidiaries Northern Bank and National Irish Bank.

IBOA boss Larry Broderick said the union had been given assurances that no decisions on branch closures or job losses would be taken until after that date. The reassurances gave members “temporary respite”.

Up to 400 jobs and 40 branches are under threat if the banks are not sold on, reports said. Mr Broderick said it was essential for his members that the ownership issue be sorted out without undue delay.