Permanent tsb opens 12,000 new accounts

Irish Life and Permanent members heard from group chairman Gillian Bowler today that the group had enjoyed a "good start to the year".

At today's AGM, Ms Bowler said the group would publish its detailed pre-close trading statement for the first half of the year on June 22. In advance of that statement however, she confirmed that trading in both the bank and the life company was "very satisfactory" with both businesses continuing to benefit from the strength of the economy and in particular the strong employment growth.