Ian Guider: Ulster Bank carve-up may involve large state cheque

To create competition in the sector, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe could be faced with providing millions of euro to allow Permanent TSB to take over the exiting bank’s assets

Eamonn Crowley, chief executive of Permanent TSB, is expected to announce next week his ambitions to become a third force in Irish banking. Photo: Fergal Phillips

The Oireachtas finance committee finally got to face – virtually at least – Ulster Bank senior executives last week for the first time since the lender’s parent company NatWest announced it was reviewing its future in Ireland.

It may be understandable why the bankers have been dodging the committee’s questions. Now that NatWest has made its decision to pull out of Ireland, after 160 years, it was time for Ulster Bank bosses to face a ...