TAKEOVER speculation drove the shares of FBD nearly 20% up by lunchtime yesterday on rumours Dutch insurance giant Eureko was lining up a bid for the Irish group, founded by farmers to meet their own farm insurance needs.

SHARES in ABN AMRO, the biggest bank in the Netherlands, hit a record high on Monday after what sources said was a merger approach by Barclays for Europe’s biggest financial services deal.

THE top 50 Irish-American achievers are to be recognised at a special Wall Street event, which will be addressed by Senator John McCain.

Irish America Magazine & Financial Dynamics Business Communications yesterday announced details of the 2006 Wall Street 50 Awards which honour 50 of the highest Irish-American achievers in business.

AIB’s strong growth this year disappointed the market yesterday which expected an even better performance from the bank when it unveiled a trading update yesterday.