Possible merger of AIB and BOI rejected by ISME

The Minister for Finance should turn down any proposal to merge Ireland’s biggest banks according to the Irish Small Firms Association.

There are rumours that a merger of AIB and Bank of Ireland could be in the pipeline.

However, ISME says that such a union would be a "disaster for ordinary customers" and small businesses.

The group say that any potential merger would have to be approved by the Minister for Finance and that such approval should never be given.