Bids for EBS Building Society expected in days

EBS Building Society will receive bids from private equity groups and bancassurer Irish Life & Permanent in the next few days, sources told Reuters.

The state-run building society has set a deadline of August 20 for offers and one source said three private equity groups — US firm JC Flowers, Britain’s Doughty Hanson and Dublin-based Cardinal Asset Management — are expected to bid, as well as Irish Life & Permanent. A second source confirmed the bancassurer will take part.

Irish Life & Permanent declined to comment.