Ian Guider: Why Bank of Ireland would be the perfect match for Davy

Private equity firms may be eyeing the business as a bargain buy, but Davy is important to the Irish financial system and Bank of Ireland would be the ultimate safe pair of hands

Francesca McDonagh, chief executive, Bank of Ireland: buying Davy in and of itself will not be a transformative deal for the bank, but what it does offer the bank is a chance to turbocharge its non-fee income

Since the scandal involving the 16 now former Davy executives who took part in a bond transaction that landed the stockbroker with a €4 million Central Bank fine, much attention has focused on how to further punish the firm and the individuals involved.

The issue has resulted in the business being put up for sale to prevent the fallout toppling it. Ironically, a sale would result in some of those involved in the bond deal ...