Bank of Ireland unlikely to pull off Abbey National takeover, say analysts

BANK OF IRELAND'S chances of taking over Britain's sixth biggest bank, Abbey National, has little likelihood of success, according to stockbrokers Merrion Capital.

Bank of Ireland chief executive Mike Soden could be galloping the company towards a second fall in the takeover stakes, if stockbrokers Merrion Capital's initial reaction to the proposed 21 billion euro merger proves true.

If the deal went ahead it would create the 12th largest bank in Europe.