Further branch closures on cards

AIB plans a 0.5% increase in its standard variable rate mortgage and to close 45 sub-offices this year, the amalgamation of six branches in the final quarter, and a further 16 branch closures in 2013.

The announcements coincided with the release of the bank’s financial results for the first half of this year.

AIB posted an operating loss before exceptional items of €1.1bn for the first six months of 2012 compared with an operating loss of €3bn for the first half of 2011.