Bank of Ireland strong takeover target

BANK of Ireland is seen as a strong takeover play by a number of analysts during 2004.

Top of the list of brokers to identify the Irish bank is Credit Suisse, who singled Bank of Ireland out as the only serious takeover play in Ireland for the current year.

Stuart Draper of Dolmen Butler Briscoe says the identification of the bank by Credit Suisse and its obvious international financial clout has increased the chances of a bid for the bank in 2004.