Bank of Ireland Business Banking Opens Galway Office

New Business Development Manager to Head up Business Banking Team in Galway

Bank of Ireland Business Banking today (Monday, 9th August 2004) announced that it has opened a dedicated Business Banking office at Eyre Square, Galway. It also announced the appointment of Mr. Jack Harty as Business Development Manager. Jack will head the Business Banking office in Galway, which will complement the eight strong team of Bank of Ireland Business Banking Managers currently working with businesses in Galway.

The new office will assist Bank of Ireland branches and customers, with complex and specialist financial packages. Its expert team of advisors will offer exceptional experience in specialist areas such as property, tax based investment finance, venture capital and enterprise finance. The office will complement Bank of Ireland's day-to-day business banking services, as well as, specialist treasury, commercial finance, credit card, life assurance planning services and venture capital.

Commenting on the opening of the Business Banking office and on Jack Harty's appointment, Mr. John Lavelle, Regional Business Manager, Bank of Ireland said, "the opening of the office and Jack's appointment is part of our overall strategy to secure new customers, to support our own network on complex deals and to provide unrivalled business banking services to Galway based businesses. Jack's addition will ensure we maintain our leadership position and be recognised as the number one bank for business in Galway".

Jack Harty has worked in various positions with Bank of Ireland since 1973. He holds at B.A. (Economics and English) NUIG, LLB NUIG, Batchelor at Law, Kings Inns and Batchelor of Financial Services, Dublin University.

He can be contacted at 086 2269111 or 091 537084.

Ends

9th August 2004

For reference:
Anne Mathews
Media Relations Manager
Bank of Ireland Group
Tel: 01 6043836/087 2460358

Dermot Nolan
Head of Business Marketing
Bank of Ireland Business Banking
Tel: 01 6043349

About Bank of Ireland Business Banking

Bank of Ireland is the number one Bank for business in Ireland with dedicated business managers available through each of its 270 strong nationwide branch network. Since March 2003, Bank of Ireland Business Banking has experienced a 77% increase in new drawdowns and provides a minimum of 50 business loans per day to all types of businesses ranging from startups to high-growth firms.

The Bank of Ireland business offer encompasses the full range of day-to-day business banking services as well as specialist Treasury, Commercial Finance, Credit card, Life Assurance planning services and Venture Capital. These business services are complemented by Bank of Ireland's Specialist Business Bank (SBB), a dedicated unit which assists Bank of Ireland branches and customers with more complex and specialist financial packages. Over 60,000 customers have registered for its "Business On Line" service.