ONE of the biggest ever gatherings of members of the Cork Federation of the ICA was held earlier this month.

AN Post had pre-tax losses of €25.6 million in 2009 in what it called its most commercially challenging year ever. Profit before tax in 2008 was €39.9m.

The Government has approved a joint venture between An Post and the Belgian/Dutch international financial services company, Fortis.

AN POST will shortly begin negotiations with a leading bank with a view to providing a full range of financial services.

Information and communications technology company Calyx has bought communication solutions firm Convergent Systems Ireland Ltd (“Convergent”) for €600,000 cash.

An Post financial services subsidiary One Direct has revealed the majority of its borrowers cite house renovations and improvements as the number one reason for borrowing money.

One Direct, the financial services subsidiary of An Post, has signed a new five-year deal with Hibernian Insurance, to underwrite One Direct’s home and motor insurance policies.

ONE DIRECT, the An Post subsidiary, has entered the pensions market.

A NEW low-rate personal loan from An Post aims to undercut the main banks’ offerings by several percentage points. One Direct, the profitable financial wing of An Post is introducing a new personal loan with an annualised percentage rate (APR) of 7.75%.

An Post is to create 30 new jobs at its One Direct subsidiary in Athlone, Co Westmeath.