Bank of Ireland has been successful in its negotiations with the European Commission to hold on to New Ireland Assurance, although it has to sell business units as part of the agreement, including exiting ICS.

FAI CHIEF executive John Delaney is adamant that the Setanta Sports Cup will survive with or without the satellite giant.

One in five Bank of Ireland Branches is to be closed in a major rationalisation programme, according to newspaper reports this morning.