No move by Fingleton to repay €1m bonus

FORMER Irish Nationwide boss Michael Fingleton has made no attempt to repay a €1 million bonus he received from the building society last year. Mr Fingleton, who also struck a €28m pension deal, is understood to be awaiting a report on pay from Irish Nationwide before he makes any refund.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Brian Lenihan is keeping a close eye on the case. Last night a spokesman for the minister said: “We understand Irish Nationwide are vigorously pursuing the repayment of the €1m from Mr Fingleton.”

After he quit the society in April Mr Fingleton agreed to pay back the €1m which formed part of his overall salary for 2008. Payment of the bonus which had been agreed between Mr Fingleton and the board caused serious disquiet when it emerged that the society was forced to write off €464m in bad loans.