Stock markets investors should avoid Europe-wide shares for the time being, Merion Capital has warned, though a very small handful of Irish companies, including Fyffes and Irish Residential Properties REIT, may offer some shelter from further storms ahead.

The UK Post Office has launched a new brand for its products as it bids to become one of the UK’s biggest financial services providers by the end of the decade.

Bank of Ireland’s UK lending activities and mortgage business could help shelter it from the adverse effects of any potential worsening in the domestic market, according to a leading stockbroking firm.

The Post Office has reported an increased profit of £107m despite a decline in its revenue.

Bank of Ireland has signed an agreement for the sale of its Bristol & West branch network and associated deposit base to Britannia Building Society for about £150m (€218m), the bank said today.

Bank of Ireland today announces that it has signed an agreement to sell its subsidiary Chase de Vere Financial Solutions plc to AWD, part of AWD Holdings AG for a total cash consideration of €30m (£20m).

Bank of Ireland has predicted further good results for the rest of 2004 after reporting strong first quarter results with reduced costs throughout the group.

Plans to close down 21 post office branches across Northern Ireland will “rip the heart out of urban and rural communities,” it was claimed today.

The British Post Office today launched a £10m (€14.3m) campaign to increase revenue by developing new financial services, expanding its banking arm and revamping branches.

Patrick Waldron has been appointed as Chief Executive of the recently announced financial services joint venture in Britain between Bank of Ireland and Post Offices Ltd.