NIB to open 15 new Irish branches in next three years

National Irish Bank has announced plans to open 15 new branches across the country over the next three years.

The bank says the new outlets will be opened as part of a €20m investment programme that will increase its branch network by 25%.

It made the announcement while reporting a loss of €17.3m for the six months to June 30 this year.

NIB says the loss was in line with expectations arising from technology and other costs associated with its takeover by the Danske Bank Group.

It says overall lending increased by 54% during the period, while residential mortgage lending rose by 55%.