BoS Ireland was due to make an
announcement on July 23 – but had still not done so at time of
going to press – as to how many jobs will be culled from the
bank.

Considering claims that BoSI has not
signed any new leasing business since the beginning of this year –
meaning staff were largely only handling old portfolios – the
future of the asset finance employees does not look good.

BoSI began rolling out its network of
44 Halifax branches in 2006, and in its last annual statement
reported a pre-tax loss of €250 million, which figured in €553
million of write downs on bad loans, including leasing
business.

Meanwhile, some 200 employees of
Lombard Ireland, the asset finance division of RBS’ Irish
subsidiary Ulster Bank, were notified in early June that their
employer was one of a number of RBS’ business units under review
and termed “non-core”.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

However, a spokesperson from Lombard
noted that the term “non-core” was being used loosely. He
emphasised that the “review process was still underway and that no
conclusions have been made as yet”.

Up to 10 percent of Lombard Ireland’s
portfolio, between €1 billion and €1.5 billion in size, is believed
to be in arrears.

As part of the bank’s response to the
steep Irish recession, it closed its doors to almost all broker
business at the end of April, stating “it is vital that we continue
to maintain the quality of our lending” in correspondence to
brokers.

Next was Bank of Ireland, which shut
off introduced business on 1 July, citing “a review of all sources
of business”.

A week later it was reported that AIB
Leasing, which had continued to be significantly active through
intermediaries in the year’s first half, had withdrawn its broker
links effective from the start of August.

John O’Mahoney, the head of AIB’s
asset finance operation, is believed to have been transferred to a
position elsewhere in the banking group.

Fred Crawley