THE Green Party warned 10 years ago that “mad lending” at Anglo Irish Bank would land the country in trouble, Energy Minister Eamon Ryan claimed last night.

FOREIGN-OWNED banks that are not protected by the two-year state guarantee were quick to reassure customers yesterday their money is safe.

FAMILY and friends are the first choice for financial advice for most people — with information and advertising from financial institutions trailing behind.

The value of new mortgages taken out last was down 15% compared to 2006, according to new figures out today.

ULSTER Bank has made a play for the significant portion of consumers expected to switch banks in the coming months by offering a cash incentive to join.

The leading representative body for the banking sector in this country, the Irish Bankers Federation (IBF) has welcomed the inclusion in today’s Finance Bill of a new regime for the taxation of dividends received by companies here from non-resident companies.

A STUDY conducted by financial giants KPMG has found the cost of fighting money laundering has risen dramatically for banks worldwide in recent years.

THE European Central Bank (ECB) raised its interest rate by 0.25% yesterday for the eighth time in the past 18 months.

The Irish Taxation Institute (ITI) and the Irish Bankers Federation (IBF) have both come out today in opposition to new EU tax harmonisation proposals.

CLOSE TO €40 billion was borrowed last year as the scramble to buy houses and apartments forged ahead.

BANKS are to pay 90% of the total cost of garda cash escorts under a new agreement to be signed in the coming weeks.

THE abolition of stamp duty for first-time buyers was called for in the pre-Budget submission of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV).

More than 100,000 mortgages worth a total of €18bn have been taken out in Ireland so far this year, according to research published today by the Irish Bankers Federation.

More than seventeen thousand people have used the personal account switching code to change banks.

The financial regulator has been urged to investigate credit card fees.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern has called for a less negative attitude towards banks - specifically towards the levels of profits which they earn.

THE Competition Authority’s final report on the banking sector was welcomed by bankers yesterday, but small businesses warned its recommendations needed to be matched with action.

Small businesses are losing around €85m a year as banks hold back the benefits of interest rate cuts, a leading watchdog claimed today.

THE Irish Bankers Federation (IBF) confirmed yesterday that 10,000 consumers have used the IBF Account Switching Code to switch accounts in the first seven months of the year.

At least ten thousand people have switched banks over the past seven months.

A study paid for the Irish Bankers Federation has reportedly found that Ireland's bank charges are among the cheapest in the developed world.

EXTRA charges imposed by retailers on customers who pay by credit card should be made illegal, according to the Irish Bankers Federation (IBF).

Social and Family Affairs Minister Seamus Brennan has indicated that he is about to get tough with banks and other institutions that target lone parents with predatory money-lending practices.

Ireland's banks have reportedly agreed to pay the State at least €3m extra every year to cover the cost of providing army escorts for cash transits.

SECURITY companies have been exposing themselves to risk for years in order to suit the opening hours of some banks, it was claimed yesterday.

Cormac O’Keeffe

The Government has reportedly abandoned its plans to introduce consumer taxes on chewing gum, fast-food wrappings and ATM receipts despite the success of the 15c plastic bag levy.

The Irish Bankers Federation has blamed Government stamp duties for high price rises in the financial services sector.

HAVE you ever tried to change your bank account from one bank to another? Or have you ever tried to change solicitors? Do you know how much you pay for a gallon of petrol?

THE Competition Authority report into the banking sector says switching personal accounts must be made easier.

THE report into the banking sector could be the start of a gentle revolution in banking.

THE €40 government duty on credit cards has killed competition in the market and should be scrapped in next month’s Budget, the Irish Bankers Federation (IBF) said yesterday.

BANKS contributed less than half of the €40 million cost of nearly 10,000 cash deliveries escorted by gardaí and the Defence Forces over a four year period, figures showed yesterday.

DEFENCE Minister Willie O’Dea will seek to impose a levy on banks if they refuse to pay a substantial share of the Army’s €6.64 million cash escort bill.

TESCO has started an interest rate price war with AIB and Bank of Ireland by offering fixed rate loans of between €2,500 to €30,000 at lower rates than those offered by the main banks.

The Irish Bankers Federation (IBF) has welcomed comments by the Minister of State for Trade and Commerce, Michael Ahern, about proposed new accounting standards.

SHOPPING around for the best interest rate could save you more than €100,000 over the lifetime of an average mortgage, figures produced by the State’s financial watchdog showed yesterday.

DISCLOSURE earlier this week that Bord Gáis saw profits dip in 2003 by more than 9% and that debts have mounted to over €1 billion is cause for concern.

The Irish Bankers Federation is calling for the abolition of the €40 government stamp duty on credit cards.

IMPRISONING people who are unable to pay their debts is an unjust and outdated practice and should be ended, according to a legal advice group.

BANK of Scotland Irish boss Mark Duffy has reacted angrily to the assault on the company by the Irish Bankers Federation and others in the banking sector.

The Irish Banking Federation is rejecting claims that small businesses are being ripped off.