KBC recommits to Ireland as rival Ulster Bank reviews its future in the Irish market

Despite Ireland being the only market in which KBC lost money last year, Peter Roebben, the CEO of KBC Bank Ireland, has reconfirmed the bank's commitment to build its business here.

There is no question over KBC Bank staying in Ireland despite it posting a hefty €48m loss during the 2020 pandemic, and even while all banks struggle to make healthy returns in the market, its chief executive in Ireland Peter Roebben has said.

Challenger bank KBC's recommitment comes as Ulster Bank, the long-established and third-largest mortgage and corporate lender, is likely to decide to wind down the bank in the Republic, analysts and experts have said, after its owner, NatWest put its future up for review late last summer.