IT WOULD be unwise to end the banking guarantee at the end of this year, a senior executive at the Department of Finance argued yesterday.

A former chef who attempted to set fire to the home of his ex-wife while she was still inside has been given a three-year sentence by Judge Patricia Ryan.

Ulster Bank was voted Business Bank of the Year with National Irish Bank picking up an award for best Retail Banking at the KPMG Financial Services Excellence Awards.

Founder and chief executive of CPL Resources Anne Heraty has been named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Ulster Bank has appointed Robert Gallagher as chief executive of the Bank's Corporate & Financial Markets (CBFM) with responsibility for Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.