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04/03/2009
Stormont Chiefs Pressure Bank Bosses On Credit
Northern Ireland's top two Executive Ministers were this week meeting bank bosses to put more pressure on them over the availability of funding for businesses here during the current recession.
First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness held the summit at Parliament Buildings to meet with Des Crowley, Chief Executive of UK Financial Services, Bank of Ireland Group and Stephen Kirkpatrick, Chief Executive of Bank of Ireland, Northern Ireland.
Afterwards they said they had been able to convey first hand the difficulties local business and households are facing dealing with banks in the current economic climate.
Mr Robinson said: "We are concerned that the supply of credit and finance should continue to be made available to business and households.
"We very much welcomed the opportunity to speak with Mr Crowley and Mr Kirkpatrick to find out how the Bank of Ireland has been approaching its lending policy in Northern Ireland in light of developments for the Group as a whole from the recapitalisation measures in the Republic of Ireland.
"We very much hope that there will not be a retrenchment in the bank's position and that it will continue to offer credit to its customer base in Northern Ireland," he said.
Also commenting, Mr McGuinness said: "The Bank of Ireland previously referred to the 'positive position' it adopted on business lending locally when it offered a new small firm business loan product for the first time last April.
"We are anxious that this continues into this year and not only for small businesses but for mortgage lending too.
"We are keen to find out whether the Bank of Ireland is taking or going to take advantage of some of the measures on offer, such as European Investment Bank loans, UK loan guarantee schemes for business and mortgage deferment schemes, to expand lending to business and prevent mortgage repossession for households," he said.
He said he hoped these would apply across Ireland and not only in the south but for its customers in Northern Ireland as well.
(BMcC/JM)
First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness held the summit at Parliament Buildings to meet with Des Crowley, Chief Executive of UK Financial Services, Bank of Ireland Group and Stephen Kirkpatrick, Chief Executive of Bank of Ireland, Northern Ireland.
Afterwards they said they had been able to convey first hand the difficulties local business and households are facing dealing with banks in the current economic climate.
Mr Robinson said: "We are concerned that the supply of credit and finance should continue to be made available to business and households.
"We very much welcomed the opportunity to speak with Mr Crowley and Mr Kirkpatrick to find out how the Bank of Ireland has been approaching its lending policy in Northern Ireland in light of developments for the Group as a whole from the recapitalisation measures in the Republic of Ireland.
"We very much hope that there will not be a retrenchment in the bank's position and that it will continue to offer credit to its customer base in Northern Ireland," he said.
Also commenting, Mr McGuinness said: "The Bank of Ireland previously referred to the 'positive position' it adopted on business lending locally when it offered a new small firm business loan product for the first time last April.
"We are anxious that this continues into this year and not only for small businesses but for mortgage lending too.
"We are keen to find out whether the Bank of Ireland is taking or going to take advantage of some of the measures on offer, such as European Investment Bank loans, UK loan guarantee schemes for business and mortgage deferment schemes, to expand lending to business and prevent mortgage repossession for households," he said.
He said he hoped these would apply across Ireland and not only in the south but for its customers in Northern Ireland as well.
(BMcC/JM)
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25 June 2013
New NI Bank Notes In Circulation
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New bank notes have been released into circulation in Northern Ireland. The £10 and £20 notes are being issued from Danske Bank and will gradually replace the existing Northern Bank notes. The design of the notes remains the same, the only difference is the Danske Bank logo has replaced the Northern Bank logo.
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15 November 2012
Northern Bank Becomes Danske
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07 January 2005
Consequences ‘dire and grim’ says Robinson
The consequences for Sinn Féin will be “dire and grim” if Chief Constable Hugh Orde confirms IRA involvement in the £22 million Northern Bank robbery last month, said DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson.
Consequences ‘dire and grim’ says Robinson
The consequences for Sinn Féin will be “dire and grim” if Chief Constable Hugh Orde confirms IRA involvement in the £22 million Northern Bank robbery last month, said DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A mostly dry evening and night with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive, especially in the south. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
