Sale deal secures future of 250 Leitrim jobs

Some 250 jobs have been secured in Co Leitrim after confirmation that a buyer has been found for the MBNA credit card company based in Carrick-on-Shannon.

MBNA, a division of Bank of America which serves the Irish credit card market, is to be purchased by US group Apollo Global Management.

Bank of America had announced in August that it was exiting the UK and Ireland credit card business.

Meanwhile the UK operation served by the Carrick facility, which employs the remaining 400 people there, is to remain operational as a going concern.

"Bank of America is a massive employer and a huge contributor to the economy in Carrick-on-Shannon and the north-west, and last August’s announcement was a major shock to the region," said Jobs and Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton.

“Today’s announcement secures the 250 jobs employed in the Irish operation, and provides good news for the 400 people employed on the UK business.

"I will continue to ensure that everything possible is done to secure all jobs in the Carrick-on-Shannon operation for the long-term.”

The minister has twice held talks with Bank of America global chief executive Brian Moynihan while on trips to the United States, most recently last month, in a bid to save the jobs.

“I believe that our role, but also the role of the Bank of America and the commitment from Bank of America to see a good outcome was important,” continued Mr Bruton.

“There was a unified belief that the best option was to protect the jobs, that that was do-able.

“That was vigorously pursued on our side and by the Bank of America. Today’s outcome is testament to that.”

Mr Bruton said there was no attempt to rush by the executives.

“Time was given so that a good buyer could be obtained that would be committed to the long-term future. That was the approach,” he added.

“Responsible investors who are having to make changes because of difficulties in their businesses, that’s the way it should be approached, and I’m very pleased with the way there has been great co-operation on this issue.”