THE latest survey on the banking industry showing very strong support for NAMA is probably welcome news for a Government which has taken the biggest gamble in Ireland’s economic history.

More than 200 jobs are being cut at Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), owners of Ulster Bank, it was confirmed today.

FIRST ACTIVE, now part of Ulster Bank, is to dispose of 49 branch outlets nationwide. The bank bills it as one of the largest property portfolios ever to be placed on the Irish market, although the value of the freehold properties is only put at about €13.5 million.

The Ulster Bank Group has confirmed plans to shed around 750 jobs as part of a major restructuring programme.

Hundreds of jobs at First Active branches around the country are believed to be under threat as part of restructuring plans by the bank's parent company.

THE Cunningham Group of building companies has lost a central claim in its marathon legal action against First Active after a judge yesterday rejected a claim of fraud against the bank in its dealings with the group.

Junior Minister Maire Hoctor is set to face questions about the over-70s medical card scheme at a meeting of older people in Dublin today.

ON WHAT was described by chief executive John Treacy as a proud day for the Irish Sports Council (ISC) the completion of the National Network of Sport Partnerships was announced at the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham yesterday.

A former Jihadi who has dedicated his life to deterring other young Muslims from becoming terrorists is getting the support he needs to continue his work, Hazel Blears said today.

First Active, owned by Royal Bank of Scotland Group, plans to sell €1.95 billion of bonds backed by home loans.

Review of the year compiled by Niamh Hennessy.

RESIDENTIAL mortgage holders will save more that €300 million a year as increased competition erodes the profit margins banks and building societies make, analysts said yesterday.

MUNSTER coach Alan Gaffney is taking no chances with most of his star players in advance of the Heineken Cup semi final with Wasps.

IRISH Life & Permanent could be the next Irish financial institution to become a takeover target, according to stockbrokers Dolmen.

FIRST ACTIVE will launch a cut-price tracker mortgage today that will target people trading up from their existing homes.

The fifth largest bank in the world, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBoS), said it was set to satisfy market expectations for year end results, to be announced in February 2004.

First Active shareholders will get their say on the proposed takeover of the bank by Royal Bank of Scotland at an extraordinary general meeting on Thursday.

ULSTER BANK chief executive Martin Wilson will step down from his position when its takeover of First Active is completed, making way for the former building society’s chief Cormac McCarthy.

ROYAL Bank of Scotland expects its bid for First Active, announced Monday, to be completed by January 2004 if there are no hitches along the way.

The Irish Bank Officials Association (IBOA) says it will fight to save the jobs of First Active staff who could lose their jobs if a proposed takeover goes ahead.

MORE than 145,000 First Active shareholders will divide several hundred million euro between them in one of the biggest windfalls for small investors in Irish stock market history.

THE Irish market reflected the positive sentiment across Europe, gaining 47.43 points to 4327.59.

THE main financial institutions, including AIB and Bank of Ireland, have finally reacted to pressure from politicians, businesses and customers by dropping their mortgage interest rates.

THE Irish market continued Tuesday's fall yesterday with a 12.67 point drop to close at 4339.17

THE ISEQ index finished the week at 4307.67 points, 38.43 points down on Thursday’s close.

THE Dublin market closed 39.14 points higher yesterday, at 4189.75.

Gardaí are hunting two armed robber who escaped with a small sum of money after holding up a building society in Dublin today.