EBS merger talks ‘within weeks’

THE battle for control of EBS Building Society has moved up a notch. Irish Life & Permanent has emerged as a potential buyer.

EBS is already in preliminary discussions with Cardinal Asset Management about a private investment deal that would put an end to its mutual status, its boss Fergus Murphy said after the group’s recent AGM.

Yesterday’s confirmation that EBS will shortly engage in parallel talks with IL&P has given the merger new momentum.