Irish banks in Australian sights

AIB Bank and Bank of Ireland may become takeover targets for National Australia Bank when a former Barclays’ Bank deputy chief executive takes over NAB’s European operations in August.

Ernst & Young International partner and its retail banking head Philip Middleton says former Barclays man John Stewart, 54, has moved for a reason.

“Stewart is a serious heavy hitter in retail banking. I very much doubt he would have joined simply to mind the fire,” he said.